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SAINTE BATHIDE’S BENEDICTINE

CONGREGATION

BRANCH OF THE MONASTIC SECULAR TREE

OriginSainte Bathide’s Benedictine Congregation is a branch of the monastic secular tree. Fr John Besse (1861-1920), a monk of Liguge Monastery, had the idea of creating our Congregation. He want to establish in Paris a nun’s monastery, living the monastic life following St Benedict’s Rule. He contacted an Anglican Widow, converted to Catholicism and asked her cooperation. Hence, Mrs Margueritte Waddington Delmas (1870- 1952) Mother Benedicte in religion, became the founder of the congregation.

1921

Sainte Bathide’s Benedictine Congregation stared on 1921. The community initiated its prayer life in a little house in Paris. The first departure to found a monastery at Ambositra in Madagascar was in 1934. This first monastery traced out the physiognomy of the next ones.“ Integrated in the local Church, respecting the culture tradition, working in accordance with the conditions of the country, a place where every poor are honored. “ (Dom Andre Louf . OC)

THE MONASTERY IN VANVES(FRANCE)

TODAYIn 1928, the community was transferred to Vanves ( France) in the diocese of Nanterre. Then the congregation has developed and several new communities were established in Madagascar, Viet Nam, Toffo, Martigne Briand and Saint Thierry. Actually, the congregation is present in three continents ( (Europe – Africa – Asia)

THE COMMUNION AMONG MONASTERIESPresent in three continents. There are those who in such an attempt have kept the essential element of a monastic institution and are bent on implanting the rich tradition of their order; there are others again who are returning to the simpler forms of ancient monasticism. But all are studiously looking for a genuine adaptation to local conditions, since the contemplative life belongs to the fullness of the Church’s presence let it be put into effect every where. (Ad gentes No 18d)

SAINTE MARY’S BENEDICTINE MONASTERY IN VIET NAM

In 1954 invited by Myg Paul Seitz, Bishop of Kontum. Five sisters arrived in Viet Nam and sowed thr seed of the monastic life in Buon Ma Thuoc.

BUON MA THUOC 1954

They lived a prayer and work life among the Rhade ethnic minority, received the poor and handed a boarding house for ethnic minority’s girls in order to improve the culture and life’s level of the people in the villages. The suns cooperated also to translate liturgical and biblical materials, to teach catechism, in adaptation to the Rhade tradition and folklore.

THU DUC ( SAI GON) 1967

In 1967, the community, having already 11 Vietnamese members, transferred to Thu Duc ( Sai Gon City), and integrated completely in the Vietnamese culture. At that time, the Holy See created the diocese of Buon Ma Thuoc. The monastery became the Bishop House.

THEY WORK IN THE FARMIN THE HIGH MOUNTAIN

LABOR“ They must not become distressed if local conditions of their poverty should force them to do the harvesting themselves. When they live by the labor of their hands, then they are really monks.” (RB 48, 7-8)

THEY OFFER THE MASS IN THE MORNING

SO THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED (Rule 57)

ORA ET LABORA

IDENTITY: CONTEMPOLATIONOratioDivine OfficeLetio divinaORA ET LABORA: PRAYER AND LABORA

COMMUNITY LIFEThey should each try to be first to show respect to the other,Supporting with the greatest patience one another’s weaknesses of body or behavior. No one is to pursue what he judges better for himself but instead, what he judges better for someone else. To their fellow monks they show the pure love of brothers.(RB 72, 4-8) COMMUNITY

LIFE

WELCOME THE GUESTS

“RECEPTION OF GUESTS”It is one of the constituents of the monastic life. Const 24In Thu Duc, our guest house is at all time opened to every body who wish come to encounter God in prayer, silent solitude and to search peace for their soul.