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Monastic Family of Bethlehem, of the Assumption of the Virgin and of Saint Bruno (Bethléem)
Famille monastique de Bethléem, de l’Assomption de la Vierge et de Saint Bruno
Formation1950; 74 years ago (1950)
TypeInstitute of Consecrated Life of Pontifical Right (for Men and Women)
HeadquartersÉconome Générale Secrétaire des Monastères, 2055 Chemin di Piquetière, F-38380 Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, France
Membership (2018)
60 Monastic Brothers
650 Monastic Sisters
Prioress General
Sr. Isabelle Flye-Sainte-Marie, Bethléem
Websitewww.bethleem.org

The Monastic Family of Bethlehem, of the Assumption of the Virgin and of Saint Bruno – or simply known as Monastic Brothers of Bethlehem and Monastic Sisters of Bethlehem – is a Roman Catholic institute of consecrated life that practices the Carthusian spirituality and was founded through the inspiration of a small group of French pilgrims on November 1, 1950, at St. Peter's Square, in the Vatican City, following the promulgation of the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven.[1] The Monastic Sisters were founded in France, soon after, and the Monastic Brothers in 1976.

Charism

The Motherhouse of the Monastic Family of Bethlehem situated near the Chartreuse Mountains in France.
The daily Mass in a chapel of the Monastic Family of Bethlehem.

The charism of the Monastic Family of Bethlehem, of the Assumption of the Virgin and of Saint Bruno communities consists in listening to the Gospel with the Blessed Virgin Mary in the heart of the Catholic Church, in love, in solitude, through liturgical life, study, work and poverty. In order to fulfil this vocation more perfectly, the Monasteries of Bethlehem receive Saint Bruno's fatherhood and his wisdom of life.

Controversies

Since 2015, the monastic family of Bethlehem has been the object of a canonical visit led by Fr. Jean Quris, former Deputy Secretary General of the Bishops' Conference of France and by Sister Geneviève Barrière, Benedictine and former abbess of Jouarre, from 2007 to 2014. This visit follows the "dysfunctions" of certain communities and a lack of distinction between the internal and external fora.[vague]

Election of a new prioress general

Sister Emmanuel (née Rose Armelle Marie Claude Lorenchet de Montjamont) was named general prioress of the Monastic Family of Bethlehem by the Congregation of Religious in February 2017,[2] following the resignation of Sister Isabelle as prioress general, who had herself succeeded the order's founder, Sister Marie.

The Dicastery named a new general prioress, Sister Emmanuel, helped by 5 sisters who are her advisers, and two visitors as apostolic assistants: Father Jean Quris, a priest in the diocese of Angers and an episcopal delegate for consecrated life, and Mother Geneviève Barrière, former Abbess of Jouarre. The role of the assistants chosen by Rome consists in remaining close to the general prioress and to the permanent advisers in order to cooperate in the implementation of the recommendations given by the Dicastery and of the renewal of the Constitutions, in view of a future general chapter to vote on the constitutions and to elect a general prioress.[2]

Presence in the world

The life and religious habit of the Monastic Brothers and Monastic Sisters of Bethlehem is inspired by that of the Carthusian monks and Saint Bruno of Cologne.
Modern and simple architecture is a feature of the most recent monasteries of the Monastic Family of Bethlehem.
Typical chapels architecture of the Monastic Family of Bethlehem.
Model of a stylized nativity scene usually sculpted by the Monastic Sisters of Bethlehem.

The first community of Monastic Sisters of Bethlehem began in 1951. The first community of Monastic Brothers of Bethlehem (or Monks) was founded in 1976, in the Chartreuse Mountains. The Monastic Family of Bethlehem, of the Assumption of the Virgin and of Saint Bruno has presently more than 670 members: more than 600 nuns and about 70 monks.[3] They live in 30 nunneries and 4 monasteries of brothers located in 15 different nations. The Monastic Family of Bethlehem also contains Lay Associates, Companions and Friends, all of whom contribute to the life of order.[4]

The monasteries of the Monastic Brothers of Bethlehem

The monasteries of the Monastic Sisters of Bethlehem

See also

References

  1. ^ The beginnings of the Monastic Family of Bethlehem, of the Assumption of the Virgin and of Saint Bruno
  2. ^ a b "THE PUBLICATIONS OF THE MONASTIC FAMILY OF BETHLEHEM". english.bethleem.org. Retrieved 2017-06-09.
  3. ^ Monastische Familie von Bethlehem 2012. Accessed on December 23, 2012
  4. ^ The Monasteries Throughout the World. Website of the Monastic Family of Bethlehem, of the Assumption of the Virgin and of Saint Bruno , August 25, 2014

External links

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