Notre-Dame des Neiges Abbey Experiences Revival
The monastery was founded in 1850 by Trappist monks. It once hosted Saint Charles de Foucauld, who began his monastic journey there in 1890.
The monastery survived a fire in 1912 and the end of its wine production in the 2000s.
However, the monastery fell silent after its last monks left in December 2021. The ageing Trappist monks then handed it over to the nuns from Boulaur.
Boulaur itself had once come close to closure. In 1979, with only five sisters remaining, the monastery asked the Cistercian Abbot General for the permission to pray to a certain Claire de Castelbajac, who was known locally for her holiness. He agreed — temporarily. Soon after, new vocations arrived and the closure was averted. Since then, Claire de Castelbajac has been closely associated with Boulaur, where her tomb now lies.
The monastery in Boulaur now has around two dozen nuns with an average age of 45. Due to its growth, Boulaur reopened the old Cistercian abbey of Sainte-Marie de Rieunette in 1998.
The nuns wear the traditional habit and follow traditional Cistercian liturgical customs, such as making deep bows and singing Gregorian chant, but use the Novus Ordo missal.
Notre-Dame des Neiges is their second foundation.
To earn money, these nuns started producing eco-friendly cleaning products and soaps using local herbs. They also cultivate a 150-hectare farm and maintain a vegetable garden. Furthermore, they run a guesthouse for hikers and pilgrims.
In an attempt to raise their profile, they publish pictures and videos of their daily lives on social media.
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