Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey is a
Benedictine community belonging to the Solesmes Congregation. It was
founded in 1999 from the Abbey of Our Lady of Fontgombault in France and
is located in the diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Having been erected as a
simple priory in 2000, Clear Creek became an abbey in 2010. The
community currently counts 50 monks.
Benedictine community belonging to the Solesmes Congregation. It was
founded in 1999 from the Abbey of Our Lady of Fontgombault in France and
is located in the diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Having been erected as a
simple priory in 2000, Clear Creek became an abbey in 2010. The
community currently counts 50 monks.
Like the other monasteries of the
Solesmes Congregation, Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey, having devoted
itself from the outset wholly to the service of God in the hidden life,
is to be counted among the institutes entirely ordered towards
contemplation. By virtue of their vocation, the monks devote themselves
to God alone in silence and in solitude, in constant prayer, and willing
penance.
Experience MoreSolesmes Congregation, Our Lady of Clear Creek Abbey, having devoted
itself from the outset wholly to the service of God in the hidden life,
is to be counted among the institutes entirely ordered towards
contemplation. By virtue of their vocation, the monks devote themselves
to God alone in silence and in solitude, in constant prayer, and willing
penance.
Horarium
Daily Schedule
4:50 AM
Rise
5:15 AM
Matins
6:15 AM
Lauds
6:50 AM
Low Mass
8:00 AM
Prime
9:00 AM
Lectio Divina
10:00 AM
Terce, High Mass
11:15 AM
Study or Work
12:50 PM
Sext
2:00 PM
Recreation
2:35 PM
None
3:00 PM
Manual Labor
6:00 PM
Vespers
6:30 PM
Silent Prayer
7:00 PM
Lectio Divina or Conference
8:25 PM
Compline
9:00 PM
Rest
Let them sleep clothed and girded with cinctures or cords, that they may be always ready...
The Holy Rule, chapter XXII
The Holy Rule, chapter XXII
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Even for monks playfulness may become a moral virtue.The Right Rev. Dom Paul Delatte, Third Abbot of Solesmes
...let us so stand to sing, that our mind may be in harmony with our voice.
In keeping with the traditional
motto of the Benedictines, Ora et Labora – Pray and Work, the monks come
to the church seven times each day and once at night to praise God in
liturgical prayer. Much of this liturgical prayer is sung in Gregorian
chant. At other times they engage in manual labor at the ranch or in the
various workshops of the abbey.
Audio Playermotto of the Benedictines, Ora et Labora – Pray and Work, the monks come
to the church seven times each day and once at night to praise God in
liturgical prayer. Much of this liturgical prayer is sung in Gregorian
chant. At other times they engage in manual labor at the ranch or in the
various workshops of the abbey.
Origo
History and Origins
The Integrated Humanities Program
In the 1970s, at the University of
Kansas, three professors inaugurated a Great Books program (Pearson
Integrated Humanities Program, or PIHP) with a grant from the National
Endowment for the Humanities. Through their study of Western
Civilization, a number of these students became interested in monastic
life and found their way to Notre-Dame de Fontgombault Abbey in France.
Some entered the novitiate, hoping to be part of a new monastic
foundation in America some day.
Kansas, three professors inaugurated a Great Books program (Pearson
Integrated Humanities Program, or PIHP) with a grant from the National
Endowment for the Humanities. Through their study of Western
Civilization, a number of these students became interested in monastic
life and found their way to Notre-Dame de Fontgombault Abbey in France.
Some entered the novitiate, hoping to be part of a new monastic
foundation in America some day.
Blossoming of Vocations at Fontgombault Abbey
When the American university
students arrived at the French abbey, they found it flourishing with
many vocations, despite the crisis of vocations going on almost
everywhere else. There were so many vocations that Fontgombault had to
found new monasteries. As the American novices needed to get a solid
formation, the project to found in America was put off for many years,
but not forgotten.
students arrived at the French abbey, they found it flourishing with
many vocations, despite the crisis of vocations going on almost
everywhere else. There were so many vocations that Fontgombault had to
found new monasteries. As the American novices needed to get a solid
formation, the project to found in America was put off for many years,
but not forgotten.
Long-Awaited Foundation in America
Beginning in 1991, Dom Antoine
Forgeot, abbot of Notre-Dame de Fontgombault Abbey began to make
exploratory trips to the United States, accompanied by Dom Francis
Bethel. After visiting many sites in several states and after many
hesitations, a property was found in 1998, in the diocese of Tulsa,
Oklahoma, that struck the abbot and many others as very well suited for
the American foundation. It was a ranch located along Clear Creek. The
idea was approved by the Chapter of the French abbey and on the feast of
the Assumption of that same year 1998, a charter was signed between the
abbot of Fontgombault and the bishop of Tulsa formally recognizing the
existence of the new foundation.
Forgeot, abbot of Notre-Dame de Fontgombault Abbey began to make
exploratory trips to the United States, accompanied by Dom Francis
Bethel. After visiting many sites in several states and after many
hesitations, a property was found in 1998, in the diocese of Tulsa,
Oklahoma, that struck the abbot and many others as very well suited for
the American foundation. It was a ranch located along Clear Creek. The
idea was approved by the Chapter of the French abbey and on the feast of
the Assumption of that same year 1998, a charter was signed between the
abbot of Fontgombault and the bishop of Tulsa formally recognizing the
existence of the new foundation.
Monastic Life begins at Clear Creek
On September 15th, 1999,
the main group of founders arrived in Oklahoma by plane from France. A
pilot group had preceded them to get things set up to receive the main
body of founders. On the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11th,
2000, the little Priory of Our Lady of Clear Creek was officially
inaugurated in the presence of Bishop Edward J. Slattery of Tulsa, of
Bishop Basil Meeking of Christchurch, New Zealand, of Abbot Antoine
Forgeot, and of a host of priests and friends of the new community.
the main group of founders arrived in Oklahoma by plane from France. A
pilot group had preceded them to get things set up to receive the main
body of founders. On the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11th,
2000, the little Priory of Our Lady of Clear Creek was officially
inaugurated in the presence of Bishop Edward J. Slattery of Tulsa, of
Bishop Basil Meeking of Christchurch, New Zealand, of Abbot Antoine
Forgeot, and of a host of priests and friends of the new community.
“Cowboy Bethlehem” of Early Years
The first monastery was
established, partially, in a large log cabin and, partially, in a barn
and stable, where the previous owners had kept their saddle horses. The
horse stalls became monastic cells, and the barn became the first
chapel. Small wooden tool sheds were added as additional cells for new
postulants as they arrived. Larger accommodations had to be provided
for. A professor of Notre Dame University, Thomas Gordon Smith, was
selected to be the new monastery’s architect, and plans were drawn up
for a spacious monastery of Romanesque inspiration to be built of stone
and brick on a hill above Clear Creek.
established, partially, in a large log cabin and, partially, in a barn
and stable, where the previous owners had kept their saddle horses. The
horse stalls became monastic cells, and the barn became the first
chapel. Small wooden tool sheds were added as additional cells for new
postulants as they arrived. Larger accommodations had to be provided
for. A professor of Notre Dame University, Thomas Gordon Smith, was
selected to be the new monastery’s architect, and plans were drawn up
for a spacious monastery of Romanesque inspiration to be built of stone
and brick on a hill above Clear Creek.
The Big Move
By the morning of January 2, 2008,
much had been accomplished. In 2003 a stone bridge had been erected
over Little Clear Creek; the foundations for the church and a residence
building had been poured; the first stone had been blessed by the bishop
of Tulsa. Then, in 2007, the crypt of the church and the first
residential building had been completed. It was time to move into the
permanent monastery. Despite the cold temperature that morning (12
degrees F.), an army of monks, neighbors, and friends, driving every
imaginable type of vehicle, was on the move, under the guidance of a
monk with a walkie-talkie. Teams in trucks and tractors took load after
load up to the community’s new site. By the end of the day the monks
were entirely exhausted, but the monastery was installed in its new and
definitive home (at least this side of Heaven). On May 12th of the same year, Bishop Slattery and a great number of friends were on hand for the blessing of the new monastery.
much had been accomplished. In 2003 a stone bridge had been erected
over Little Clear Creek; the foundations for the church and a residence
building had been poured; the first stone had been blessed by the bishop
of Tulsa. Then, in 2007, the crypt of the church and the first
residential building had been completed. It was time to move into the
permanent monastery. Despite the cold temperature that morning (12
degrees F.), an army of monks, neighbors, and friends, driving every
imaginable type of vehicle, was on the move, under the guidance of a
monk with a walkie-talkie. Teams in trucks and tractors took load after
load up to the community’s new site. By the end of the day the monks
were entirely exhausted, but the monastery was installed in its new and
definitive home (at least this side of Heaven). On May 12th of the same year, Bishop Slattery and a great number of friends were on hand for the blessing of the new monastery.
Elevation to the Status of Abbey
Once installed in its definitive
location, the community continued to grow. On February 10, 2010, having
gathered the community in the Chapter Room, Dom Antoine Forgeot, abbot
of Notre-Dame de Fontgombault, announced to the monks the canonical
elevation of the simple Priory of Our Lady of Clear Creek to the status
of abbey sui juris. The next day, feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Father
Philip Anderson was named the first abbot of Our Lady of Clear Creek
Abbey. The blessing of the new abbot took place on the following April
10th.
location, the community continued to grow. On February 10, 2010, having
gathered the community in the Chapter Room, Dom Antoine Forgeot, abbot
of Notre-Dame de Fontgombault, announced to the monks the canonical
elevation of the simple Priory of Our Lady of Clear Creek to the status
of abbey sui juris. The next day, feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Father
Philip Anderson was named the first abbot of Our Lady of Clear Creek
Abbey. The blessing of the new abbot took place on the following April
10th.
The Building of the Abbey Continues
Thanks to a large gift received in
2009, construction on the church was able to move forward in 2011. The
west façade, the nave, and the transept were raised to half their
intended height. A roof was put over this new structure, allowing it to
be used already as a church. In 2013 the schematic architectural plans
for the remaining buildings were completed. A contract for the
construction of the church’s eastern portion, or chevet, was signed on
March 10, 2016.
2009, construction on the church was able to move forward in 2011. The
west façade, the nave, and the transept were raised to half their
intended height. A roof was put over this new structure, allowing it to
be used already as a church. In 2013 the schematic architectural plans
for the remaining buildings were completed. A contract for the
construction of the church’s eastern portion, or chevet, was signed on
March 10, 2016.
We shall run the way of God's commandment's with expanded hearts and unspeakable sweetness of love.From the Rule of St. Benedict, Prologue
Patriarch of the Monks of the West
Saint Benedict, the patriarch of
western monks, lived in Italy in the 6th century. He was heir to a
monastic tradition that dates back to the first centuries of the Church
and has its source in the Gospel: “As for yourselves,” says Jesus, “be
perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” The evangelical counsels of
poverty, chastity, and obedience are means recommended by Christ for
speeding the reign of love in souls, in which Christian perfection
consists. To help them become perfect, Saint Benedict proposes to his
disciples to seek God by living these counsels in monastic community
under the authority of the Rule and of an Abbot who will be their
spiritual father.
western monks, lived in Italy in the 6th century. He was heir to a
monastic tradition that dates back to the first centuries of the Church
and has its source in the Gospel: “As for yourselves,” says Jesus, “be
perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.” The evangelical counsels of
poverty, chastity, and obedience are means recommended by Christ for
speeding the reign of love in souls, in which Christian perfection
consists. To help them become perfect, Saint Benedict proposes to his
disciples to seek God by living these counsels in monastic community
under the authority of the Rule and of an Abbot who will be their
spiritual father.
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