Discovering integral ecology in a monastery!

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Ecology? Laudato Si'!

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In 2015, Pope Francis published an open letter (called an Encyclical) dedicated to environmental issues. In this letter he expresses how deeply nature and souls are profoundly connected. He develops the principle of integral ecology, a systemic vision of the world, where society, humanity and nature are interdependent.

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This initiative allowed many to realize, as the Pope says, that "If it is true that 'the external deserts are multiplying in our world, because the internal deserts have become very large,' the ecological crisis is a call to a profound interior conversion."

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For hundreds of years, religious, through their simple and contemplative life, have, without naming it, truly adopted this way of living in harmony with Nature, in a simple and contemplative life.

However, this call from the Pope for a massive conversion of consciences to the "care for our common home" has pushed certain communities to invite people, whatever their beliefs, to come deepen this universal call.

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Thus, exceptional places offer the opportunity to come discover their timeless way of life to find renewal while reconnecting to the essential, through contemplation of the gardens, religious chant, and the silence that inhabits these places.

Some religious who live there invite you to concretely discover ecology with participatory workshops, participation in monastic tasks in the midst of nature, with the simplicity that characterizes them.

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Integral ecology, examples in monasteries

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Especially for you, we have put together a list of places where integral ecology particularly resonates.

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Sainte Marie de la Pierre-qui-vire Abbey (89630 Saint-Léger-Vauban)

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Located in Yonne in the heart of Burgundy, Benedictine monks welcome you to their abbey, to live with them a time of rest, far from the daily tumult. Concretely share their commitment to living simply by discovering their hydraulic electric plant, their permaculture garden, and their frenette workshop, a delicious drink made from ash tree leaves. The little extra: You will be in an area without cell service, no way to scroll through social media!

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Notre Dame du Chêne Sanctuary (72300 Vion)

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In the middle of the Sarthe countryside lies the Notre-Dame du Chêne Sanctuary, run by the Brothers of St. John (yes, you know, the brothers who are established in the Corbara Monastery). They founded The Academy for Integral Ecology in this abbey in 2017, following the Pope's call. A true intensive training center for permaculture and integral ecology, you can stay there occasionally or come during the numerous dedicated events they organize and participate in maintaining the garden.

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Taulignan Monastery (26770 Taulignan)

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Taulignan Monastery, Drôme Provençale, its lavender and Dominican sisters. They know integral ecology at Taulignan. The herbalist sisters live from their aromatic plant distillery: lavender, lavandin, rosemary, lemon balm, thyme, oregano, mint, mountain savory, verbena, marjoram, hyssop.

In 2010 the sisters decided to undertake an ecological conversion journey. For the rest, we'll let you discover this documentary about their life and the ecological approach that drives them:

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En Calcat Abbey (81110 Dourgne)

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Benedictine monks have been established at En-Calcat since 1894 and offer visitors the opportunity to spend time on retreat with them. Ideally located in Tarn, with its mild climate, the monks will be delighted to help you discover their life structured by work and prayer. The brothers live from their publishing activity but have a large organic vegetable garden, an orchard and a large park, maintained by WWOOFers who are trained on site in working the land. If you have some time, don't hesitate!

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Échourgnac Abbey (24410 Échourgnac)

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We continue our tour of abbeys with Échourgnac and its Cistercian Trappist sisters. They are famous for their cheese but also their jams and fruit pastes. Where there are jams, there are fruits, and the sisters have a large orchard to maintain! For this, the help of WWOOFers is precious. They are housed in a small annex house with a stove and the promise of magnificent conversations and good monastic meals.

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Believer or not, come discover these incredible places that are unique in their kind to take time to breathe and recharge. Between heaven and earth, these places allow you to recenter and reconnect to the earth in a concrete way, in complete simplicity and to make unforgettable memories.

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