Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey
The Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem live their monastic life in Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey. They welcome visitors and pilgrims, inviting them to pray alongside them.
5 min read
A masterpiece of human genius and a centuries-old center of monastic life and pilgrimage, Mont-Saint-Michel and its abbey rise up in a unique landscape where light plays endlessly with the sand, the salt marshes, the sea…
Since 2001, the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem have lived their monastic life in Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, which is state-owned and managed by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux. They welcome visitors and pilgrims, inviting them to pray alongside them.
Mont-Saint-Michel: a centuries-old abbey and major pilgrimage site
In the 8th century,Saint Michael appeared in a dream to Bishop Saint Aubert and asked that a sanctuary be built in his honor on the rocky islet of Mont Tombe. Twelve canons would maintain a presence of prayer in this place, which would become Mont-Saint-Michel.
In 966, Duke Richard I of Normandy established Benedictine monks on the Mont, who began the construction of the abbey and its Romanesque church. The Mont then became an essential pilgrimage site in the Christian West. Pilgrims came to ask Saint Michael for protection and the salvation of their souls.
During the Hundred Years' War, and despite the many conflicts that took place in the region, Mont-Saint-Michel held out against the English. It became a symbol of victory for the kingdom of France. From the Revolution onward, the abbey was converted into a prison. When it closed in 1863, it was in a very dilapidated state, but the concept of heritage preservation emerged and, from 1874 onward, the abbey was listed as a Historic Monument. Restoration work was undertaken, allowing it to welcome pilgrims and visitors once again.
Following the celebration of the monastic millennium in 1966, a small community of Benedictine monks came to settle at the abbey.In 2001,the brothers and sisters of the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem replaced this community and have maintained a religious presence of prayer and hospitality at the abbey.
The Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem at the abbey
Fraternities: At Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, two communities, one of monks and one of nuns, are present and gather three times a day for daily prayer (offices, Mass)sung in polyphony, at the crossroads of Western and Eastern Christian traditions. Each community also provides monastic hospitality.
Monastic: Following in the footsteps of the first monks who left everything to seek God, the brothers strive to answer this call through a simple fraternal life of prayer and work, letting themselves be guided by the Gospel.
Jerusalem: The Fraternities lead a contemplative life at the heart of the contemporary world. In the Bible, the name "Jerusalem" evokes the presence of God in the midst of humanity.
Living a time of retreat with the brothers' fraternity
The community welcomes men (adults)who wish to spend a time of spiritual renewal, not a tourist visit.
Depending on needs, it is possible to offer:
- a retreat to grow in one's relationship with Christ and renew the grace of one's baptism.
- spiritual guidance, an introduction to monastic liturgy, and to the prayerful reading of the Bible (lectio divina).
Those who wish to study for exams or competitive entrance tests can find a conducive setting here.
During your stay and according to your availability, you may take part in a service task (cooking, cleaning, errands, ...).
Personalized hospitality in a privileged setting
3 rooms are available to accommodate men. The rooms are simple (a bed, a workspace, and a washbasin area).
Guests are free to use the community's oratory,library, or gardens, located away from the flow of visitors.
Guests are asked to follow the rhythm of the community by participating in the liturgical offices, to be present at mealtimes(self-service or communal depending on the day), and to maintain a spirit of silence within the fraternity.
Good physical health is required(300 steps to climb several times a day to reach the abbey church, which takes its toll!).
Mont-Saint-Michel: the bay, the village, the abbey
If you wish to make a retreat in Normandy,Mont-Saint-Michel is the most iconic destination. However, there are many other absolutely wonderful places to visit, and we invite you to read our article: where to go on retreat in Normandy,to discover them.
The rocky islet rises in the middle of a bay with the greatest tidal range in Europe. Connected to the mainland by a bridge walkway,Mont-Saint-Michel with its great tides and its abbey is a major tourist attraction.
A wide range of activities is therefore possible:
- Crossing the bay(or an outing in the bay) with a certified guide;
- Visiting Mont-Saint-Michel: its village and ramparts(with a guide),the abbey(independently or with a guide);
- Excursions and hikes to explore the natural spaces and shorelines of Mont-Saint-Michel;
- And many other possibilities!
However,the brothers are committed to welcoming people who wish to experience a genuine retreat (as a time of disconnecting from everyday demands in order to reconnect with our spiritual resources in the light of the Christian faith). If, when planning your stay, one of these activities interests you, speak with the guest master. He will be happy to advise you.
