Monastère de Chevetogne

Info

The Monastery of Chevetogne is an international Benedictine monastery, devoted to the unity of Christians .

Geschiedenis

History

The monastery of Chevetogne was founded in 1925 by Dom Lambert Beauduin (1873-1960). This monk of the Benedictine abbey of Mont César (Louvain), previously was deeply involved with the liturgical movement in Belgium. When he came to know the Christian East he realized the extend to which the Churches are divided and started to work for a foundation of a monastery devoted to Christian unity.

The pontifical letter "Equidem Verba" of Pius XIth to the abbot primate of the Benedictine Order drew attention to the importance of Christian unity and presented the opportunity to accomplish this project. In December 1925, Dom Lambert Beauduin was able to settle down in his foundation, together with a few fellow monks, at Amay-sur-Meuse (diocese of Liege). From there the community moved to Chevetogne (diocese of Namur in the Ardennes) in 1939. On December 11th, 1990 the Priory became an Abbey.

In the very beginning of the new foundation, Father Beauduin started an ecumenical journal called Irénikon, entirely devoted to the promotion of Christian unity. This journal began to appear as early as April 1927 and continued uninterruptedly.

At the same time Father Beauduin tried to strengthen his relation with the Anglican Communion, and with all the other Christians which are not in communion with Rome. In order to make a fair dialogue possible with these Christians, the monks of Chevetogne develop contacts with many personalities belonging to these churches. They receive quite a number of guests, they celebrate the liturgy according to two rites and organize regularly a theological colloquium (since 1942) and the Community of Chevetogne also endeavours introduce the Christians in the West to the treasures of the Eastern tradition.

Thus the monastery of Chevetogne tread the paths of the forerunners of the ecumenical ideas in the Catholic Church (Fernand Portal, Max de Saxe).

It contributed enthusiastically to the growth of ecumanical openness in the Catholic Church, so that the dialogue between the Churches in view of their unity could be engaged on equal terms. In fact this attitude became official at the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).

In daily prayer the monks of Chevetogne make Christ's words their own: "That all may be one". With these words, spoken just before our Saviour suffered and died, in their hearts the community works and receives its guests.