Abbey of the Genesee
Contact
Fr. Isaac Slater O.C.S.O.
Vocation Director
3258 River Road
Piffard, NY 14533
isaacslater@abbeymonks.com
www.geneseeabbey.org
Dioceses
Rochester, NY
Mission
This is a Roman Catholic community of contemplative monks, belonging to the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, more commonly known as Trappists. The monks are dedicated to the worship of God in a hidden life within the monastery following the Rule of Saint Benedict. Theirs is a life of solitude and silence, prayer and penance, in a joyful spirit of faith. There is a good balance between prayer (Divine Office and private), Lectio Divina and manual work, all lived in fraternal support and solitude. Silence is practiced seriously.
The monastic community supports itself by the common work of baking Monks’ Bread and other specialty and hand crafted products like biscotti, fruit and nut bars, and cheese crisps. Other work includes cooking, laundry, cleaning, maintenance, formation of new members, and care of the sick and elderly of the community. The community is cloistered and has no outside ministry.
Guests are received for quiet, private retreats at one of the three retreat houses. The monastic day begins with Vigils at 3:30 a.m. and ends with Compline at 7:30 a.m. Some of the brothers are priests; most are not.
Qualifications
Applicants should be between 25 and 50 years of age, practicing Roman Catholics in good standing and free from all moral and financial obligations. They need to be in good physical and mental health and possess above average spiritual and emotional maturity required for a cloistered life in community. At least a high school education is required and some work experience, ministry or military service.
Formation
The monks have a one month observership, a one year postulancy, a two year novitiate, and a minimum of three years of temporary profession before making solemn vows for life.
