Cistercian nuns

Cistercian nuns are belonging to one of the Cistercian Order. In both religious communities are the male and female parts of a whole branch of the Order, projecting each of which a general chapter and an Abbot General.

History

A first convent, which stood in connection with Citeaux and probably took over the lifestyle of the Cistercians, was founded in 1113 in France; more convents followed. Beginning of the 13th century, there were already more than 800 convents who followed the customs of Citeaux, but were not incorporated the Order, as Citeaux the inclusion of women's monasteries in the Order initially rejected. It was not until 1228 is the official recording as attested by sources.

But there were still numerous monasteries that took the life of the Cistercian without formally adhering to the Order; known examples of this are the monasteries Helfta and Marienfließ. The connection to a Benedictine medal meant for a nunnery mostly a big loss of independence, as each convent was placed under the " pater " a man's monastery, to monitor compliance with the customs and the economic concerns of the monastery and to decide on the fate of sisters had. On the other hand, the convents were often supported by the monasteries of men both by priests as well as by lay brothers.

The religious women's movement of the 13th century took place in the strict seclusion of the Cistercian monasteries an ideal space. A center of mysticism that time the monastery was Helfta, "the crown of the German convents " in which Mechthild of Hackeborn, Gertrude of Helfta and Mechthild of Magdeburg lived. This abbey was repopulated after 457 years on 13 August 1999 by Cistercian abbey especially the Blessed valley.

Basically, there are now two great Benedictine Order, who refer to the reform of Citeaux: The Cistercian general observance and the Cistercian stricter Observance, popularly also known as Trappists.

In 2009 there were about 900 worldwide Cistercian monasteries in about 60. The Cistercian stricter observance counted in 2009 about 1,800 nuns in 72 monasteries.

Existing and former Cistercian monasteries

A list of the world's existing and former Cistercian monasteries can be found at: List of Cistercian monasteries.