Chevetogne Abbey

The Abbey Chevetogne ( Monastère de l' Exaltation de la Sainte Croix - " Monastery of the increase of the True Cross " ) is an international Benedictine monastery in Chevetogne, a district of the Walloon city Ciney, Namur Province, on the northern edge of the Belgian Ardennes. The monastery lives an ecumenical vocation and maintains the Biritualität.

History

The community was founded in 1925 by Lambert Beauduin († 1960) in Amay, Liege province, in a former Carmelite monastery. The year before, Pope Pius XI. in an Apostolic Letter to the Abbot Primate of Fidelis Stotzingen the Benedictines made ​​reconciliation with the Eastern Churches a special task. Father Beauduin, Conventual the Abbey Keizersberg ( Lion ), this took some brothers to kick start the new foundation, which should be specifically devoted to this goal. In 1928, the filiation was independent priory. After the community had grown, she moved in 1939 to the former palace complex at Chevetogne order. On 11 December 1990, the survey was conducted to the abbey. The Benedictines of Chevetogne guide since 1956, the Pontifical Collegio Greco in Rome and, connected to it, the church Sant'Atanasio dei Greci.

Building

Middle of the 19th century Charles Delvaux de Fenffe had his castle-like homes built in the Neo-Renaissance Chevetogne. 1903-1923 it inhabited the monks of Ligugé that France had had to leave because of the radical separation of church and state. They built from the castle and enlarged it. After their return, the buildings were leased to private individuals. 1932-1938 they were accommodation for Spanish Jesuits who had been expelled in the preliminary phase of the Spanish Civil War. The Benedictines, who entered in 1939, added in 1955-57 on the south side a church for the Byzantine and 1981-1988 on the north side of the church for the Roman rite added.

Spirituality

The monks of Chevetogne live the Benedictine principle of " pray and work". The work includes agriculture, hospitality services - for individuals and ecumenical meetings - and science - the library contains about 150,000 volumes of liturgical science and konfessionskundlichem focus. The prayer is done as a Eucharistic liturgy of the hours and with the particularity to be that the Roman and Byzantine rite equal footing celebrated. This allows monks and guests are familiar with both and supplement the traditions and deepen each other. Apart from the bridge to the Uniate and Orthodox East Chevetogne maintains close relations with the Anglican community and the churches of the Lutheran and Reformed tradition.