Who we are
They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but I would say that a visit is worth a thousand pictures, so the best way to find out what's going on at Val Notre-Dame Abbey is to come and see! But a little seriousness. You have a busy schedule and you would like a little summary of our way of life?
SILENCE
Life in this day and age tends to be noisy. Sometimes we wonder how to create spaces of silence, if only to hear ourselves think a little ... Here, in the heart of the forest, we can hear the silence! And even if there's always a way to escape from it, in our community, we help each other to maintain it. At first it's scary, but soon, you can't do without it.
BALANCE
Our lives as monks seek balance. It's more of a goal to which we aspire than an achievement that we maintain. Yet, over the past 900 years or so, we've come up with the right formula. A bit of work, a bit of prayer, healthy food, a well-adjusted schedule, some reading, and some free time for sports, art, or other interests, all lived in an atmosphere of brotherly respect and calm.
NATURE
Is there anything that recharges the batteries like a walk in the woods? Here the forest, it's everywhere, even in the Abbey. We have preserved an area of vegetation in the centre of the complex, called the courtyard. Everywhere, there are large windows that give the impression of living outside, the cells have small balconies overlooking the forest, the roofs are covered with grass! In our free time, we can walk along the paths, climb Mount St. Joseph, walk along the banks of the Rivière l'Assomption... We have a lot of land, and it reflects the space of inner freedom that we end up creating by living here.
BROTHERHOOD
Although each monk must learn to live in solitude, a sense of brotherhood is everywhere. We always converge, whether to sing prayers, share meals, or work, or to meet in the hallways, the library, seek guidance, or hold community meetings ... The Abbey is like a large, family home in which we help each other find our inner child and give him back all of his freedom!
SPIRITUALITY
God is like the sun. There is always a way to close the curtains so that you don't see it, but if you have seen our photos, you'll have understood that we would rather bathe in the light than keep it out. In a climate of silence and clarity, we learn to see the best in our brothers and in ourselves. But every time we think we have succeeded in catching God, we open our hands to see that they are empty and that He is waiting for us elsewhere to help us continue to advance, to find the best in ourselves ... We monks all once felt an immense love that called us to come and look for Him here, in silence. If you think this all sounds crazy, that's fine, but it's the most beautiful craziness in the world!
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you want to know more, or simply contact us, you can write to us at the following address
c[email protected]