Ourscamp Abbey

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Ourscamp Abbey, an ancient monastery

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It was in 641 that Saint Eloi laid the first stone of an oratory named Ourscamp. But it wasn't until five centuries later, in 1129, that the abbey took the name Ourscamp Abbey when Saint Bernard installed twelve monks under the direction of Walerant de Beaudemont. The abbey then quickly flourished and, in 1154, Gilbert undertook the construction of a second abbey church. In 1201, it was completed with spectacular dimensions: 102 meters in length, 24 meters in width, 16 meters in height under the vaults, and a nine-bay nave.

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In 1792, the last eighteen religious left the abbey and the domain was divided into several plots. In 1810, a branch of a spinning mill was established there, which experienced a period of tremendous prosperity.

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During World War I, the Germans occupied the abbey and French shells caused the fire of the factory which spread to several other wings. In 1941, the Congregation of the Servants of Jesus and Mary established itself there and has remained the owner to this day.

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The Servants of Jesus and Mary welcome you to Ourscamp

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On September 9, 1909, Father Lamy, parish priest of La Courneuve, decided to found a religious institute, based on a rule of life founded on three pillars: prayer, penance, and apostolic action.

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Feeling quite incapable of meeting this inspiration but in a spirit of obedience, Father Lamy sought younger collaborators to assist him in this work. He set about drafting various elements of a religious rule as well as spiritual directives and practical advice for future vocations. Devoted to the good of souls, the religious have as their vocation to bring people back to the path of Jesus Christ through their apostolic dimension: education in faith and proclamation of the Gospel, especially among young people. Living in community, they devote a large part of their time to the praise of God.

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In 1929, young men decided to follow Father Lamy's call and founded a community on March 25, 1930 in Chambourg, in Indre-et-Loire. Father Lamy, who had become superior general, very quickly noticed shortcomings in the group of postulants as well as among the collaborating priests. He entrusted the community to two trusted persons to continue his work. He passed away on December 1, 1931.

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For 10 years, the community continued an unofficial existence, before settling at Ourscamp Abbey on October 2, 1941, the date of the arrival of the first candidates.

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Religious life was organized, under the jurisdiction of the order of Cîteaux, amid the difficulties generated by the Occupation. The abbey notably hid young men fleeing compulsory labor and deportation. After the war, several brothers went to Switzerland, to the Cistercian abbey of Hauterive, to receive monastic formation there. But it quickly became apparent that Father Lamy's project was difficult to reconcile with the requirements of the essentially contemplative style of the Cistercian vocation. Another path was found: on July 15, 1948, with the approval of the Holy See, the Congregation of the Servants of Jesus and Mary was erected as an institute of diocesan right.

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The Congregation's influence gradually extended under the leadership of Father André. But starting in 1955, the number of vocations dwindled until only five brothers remained in the 1960s. But thanks to the perseverance of Father André, the community gradually recovered and attracted new postulants. In the 1980s-1990s, the Congregation experienced a second period of growth and developed various activities, particularly reaching out to young people. A priory was founded in Alsace (1991) and another in Argentina.

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Since 2021, Father Eric has been the Superior General of the Congregation which has 28 members, distributed across three houses: five are in Argentina, seven in Alsace, and sixteen at Ourscamp.

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Their charism is expressed in their name: "Servants" following the example of Saint Joseph and Saint John, their patronal feast, that of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Refuge of Sinners, from whom they draw mercy, strength, and love, the example given by Father Lamy, an example of intimacy with Jesus and Mary.

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