Scourmont Abbey

Scourmont Abbey, officially known as Abbaye Notre-Dame de Scourmont, is a significant Trappist monastery situated on the Scourmont plateau in the province of Hainaut, Belgium. Established in 1850 by a group of monks from Westvleteren Abbey, it has become a prominent center for spiritual life and a renowned producer of Trappist products.

History and Development

The initiative to establish a monastery on the challenging Scourmont plateau was championed by Father Jean-Baptiste Jourdain, who secured support from Prince Joseph II de Chimay. Despite initial failures to cultivate the barren land, the monks persevered. Their early efforts included establishing a school and model farm, intended to train orphans and rehabilitate delinquents. However, the abbey's formative years were marred by serious criminal acts committed by some of its members, including sexual assault and arson, which led to severe legal consequences for the individuals involved.

Transforming the land into fertile farmland required immense effort. Alongside agriculture, the monks developed a thriving cheese dairy and a brewery. Recognizing its growth and spiritual significance, Pope Pius IX granted Scourmont priory the status of an abbey on February 24, 1871, with its formal inauguration taking place on July 7, 1871. The present church structure was completed in 1950.

Trappist Traditions and Products

Life at Scourmont Abbey is deeply rooted in the Trappist tradition, characterized by a balance of prayer, reading, and manual labor. The abbey is perhaps most widely recognized for its commercial enterprises, which have achieved international acclaim. The beers and cheeses produced at Scourmont are marketed under the well-known brand name "Chimay," named after the local village. These products have become synonymous with authentic Trappist brewing and cheesemaking.

Foundations and Notable Figures

Scourmont Abbey has played a role in the expansion of monastic life, having founded other monasteries. Notable among these are Caldey Abbey on Caldey Island in Wales, which was taken over from Benedictines in 1928, and Notre Dame de Mokotoin near Goma in the former Belgian Congo, founded in 1954.

The community has also been home to figures who have made contributions beyond the abbey walls. Joseph-Marie Canivez, who joined in 1899, became a distinguished monastic historian. More recently, Bernard de Give, a Jesuit philologist and philosopher, joined the community in 1977.