Association of friends of Solesmes – Association of friends of Solesmes

Welcome !

The Association of friends of Solesmes is steeped in 1,000 years of history and is a leading centre for Gregorian chant. Above all, however, it is a living community of Benedictine monks searching for God. Since our monastery is a place of silence and recollection, we invite you to share in our spirituality, liturgical prayer, community life, heritage and the central presence of Christ in our life by taking this virtual tour.

The Amis de Solesmes

The purpose of Association of friends of Solesmes is to promote our abbey’s influence in the areas of spirituality, culture and learning, as well as help preserve its artistic and religious heritage.

The association publishes a quarterly journal called Association of friends of Solesmes. An annual subscription costs €12 (abroad: €15). You may subscribe to Association of friends of Solesmes without joining the association.

Values

Our aim in monastic life is to follow Jesus Christ, who was poor, chaste and obedient throughout his life on earth. By vowing ourselves to poverty, chastity and obedience, we imitate these aspects of his life and are thus fashioned into his likeness – the perfect man. At the same time, we believe that we are cooperating with his salvific work in the world. By our vow of stability to the monastery and separation from the world, we aim to show that ultimate reality is not found in this visible world: we await the glorious second coming of Christ, which will inaugurate the reign of God and the end of death and suffering. Our daily rising before dawn to celebrate the office of Vigils is a special sign of this waiting. Concerning his glorious second coming, Jesus said: “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come” (Mk 13: 33).