THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LAY CISTERCIAN COMMUNITIES

FIRST INTERNATIONAL LAY CISTERCIAN ENCOUNTER

Quilvo, January 26th, 2000

Rev. Father General Abbot Dom Bernardo Olivera,

Today January 26th 2000, we have celebrated the Solemnity of the Holy Abbots Robert, Alberic and Stephen at the Monastery of Our Lady of Quilvo. The First International Encounter of Lay Cistercians takes place on this symbolic day of the Foundation of the Cistercian Order,. Here we are presenting you the fruits of our common reflection. For several years, in different parts of the world, at the same time, and without having any knowledge of one another, communities of lay contemplative are emerging. They are oriented towards the same Cistercian charism in order to live a very particular vocation in the Church. In the twelve communities represented here we have recognized the following common patterns:

Life centered in Christ
Evangelical life inspired through the Rule of Saint Benedict
Emphasis on silence and contemplation
Formation and education in Cistercian spirituality
Lectio Divina
Fraternal communion
Annual retreat
Dialogue with a Cistercian monastery
Participation in the Divine Office
Work as service with a disposition of reverence and gratitude
Invocation to the Holy Mother

This way of humility and conversion, born in the spiritual tradition of the Cistercians, invites us to live the Gospel in a more radical way. The regular reading of Saint Benedict Rule, inspire us to live our life in a more simple and deep way. This is reflected in our personal life, in relations to our natural communities (family, labor and social) helping to establish balance and harmony in this post-modern world. The inculturation of the lay Cistercians in the world is manifested in the particularities of the geographical place, as for example:

The community in Morroco has developed a particular way of life inserted in a Muslim world
Communities in the USA relate with other Christian churches
The community of Le Grange in Citeaux represents a place of stability at the service of all the Cistercian family in the world

There are probably other particularities in communities not represented here. The communities represented here express and maintain their autonomy but they feel united by a bond of charity, in a fraternal communion. These autonomous communities live a "monastic dialogue" with monasteries to which they are affiliated. It is the spiritual food that we receive through this interaction which is vital for our spiritual life. Something new is happening. In an impulse of faith and hope, and with sincerity, we want to be continuously open to the voice of the Spirit, with an attitude of listening carefully and discernment, to be able to continue building the Cistercian family. We invite you to take and receive this call, like an innovating bud in the Cistercian ancient trunk. We perceive that this could be the time to establish a communion between the lay and the monastic family, respecting mutually each other in their different and complementary vocations. We ask your blessing and support in this initiative of the Spirit.

Fraternally, in Christ,

Francisco Ambrosetti—
representing the United States

Dany Perrey—
representing France and Morroco

Sergio Antonio Lara—
representing Chile

Oblates of the Holy Spirit (GA)
Cistercian Lay Contemplatives (KY)
Genesse Lay Contemplatives (NY)
Associates of the Iowa Cistercians
Lay Cistercians Berryville (VI)
Lay Cistercians Redwoods (CA)
Lay Cistercians (FL)
Lay Cistercians (UT)

Community Le Grange St Bernard of Clairvaux
Community of Clairvaux (Citeaux)
Community of Ubexy (Ubexy)
Community of the North (Mont des Cats)

Community of Notre Dame de l’Atlas (Notre Dame de l’Atlas, Fez)

Community of Chile (Our Lady of Miraflores)