The National Catholic Reporter has an article about the current state of enclosed monastic communities in France. The story begins with rumours and discussions about the future of the renowned Cistercian house of La Trappe, and documents a depressing story of decline and closure or relocation in other houses.
However it also reports on the evidence in some cases of revival and new foundations in monasteries abandoned by their original communities. It is perhaps noteworthy, if not altogether surprising, that some of these new foundations are being established by Traditional Latin Mass communities.
The article does not make for especially optimistic reading given the age of so many monks and nuns, but nevertheless does record some signs of hope. It is perhaps a parable for Lent, and something we should pray about.
The article can be read at After 900 years, monks of iconic French La Trappe Abbey consider leaving historic monastery
My only real experience of contemporary French monasticism was when I stayed at Bec in 2004. This sizeable community is relatively new, established somewhat surprisingly at the behest of the French state which still owns the handsome seventeenth and eighteenth century claustral buildings and the late-medieval detached bell tower - the earlier medieval church was blown up in the years after the very regrettable events of 1789. The secular republic offered it to monks from another community who established a very successful abbey. At the time I visited it had a lot of young men who gave the impression of stability and seriousness. I hope that continues to be the case.
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