SolesmesSolesmes

A Thousand Years Are

but as One Day in Thy Sight

A Thousand Years Are

but as One Day in Thy Sight

1833 to 1833 to the Presentthe Present

Hi hi voyez ce que j’ai fait à droite !|

Part IIPart II

The Work of The Work of Dom Guéranger:Dom Guéranger:

RESTORATIONRESTORATION

To be BORN To be BORN ANEWANEW

To those To those who carry in who carry in themselvesthemselves……

… … the desire

the desire

to be to be

born anew…

born anew…

Crucifix at the Altar of Crucifix at the Altar of

Saint Ann at Saint Ann at SolesmesSolesmes

A love story which begins – or starts again – with the young

Prosper Pascal Guéranger.

It all began during childhood, when Prosper went to pray in the church of Solesmes, contemplating

the "Saints".

To be born anew, to rise againis to enter into communion with the paschal Jesus, He who always vivifies His Church.

He by whom the monastic life was going to be reborn in France bore among one of his names at baptism the name Pascal.

""Let us now praise famous men, and Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers in their generations…our fathers in their generations…

There are some of them who have left a name, There are some of them who have left a name, so that men declare their praise. Their prosperity so that men declare their praise. Their prosperity will remain with their descendants, and their will remain with their descendants, and their inheritance to their children’s children. Their inheritance to their children’s children. Their descendants stand by the covenants; their descendants stand by the covenants; their children also, for their sake" children also, for their sake" (Sirac 44. 1,8,11-12).(Sirac 44. 1,8,11-12).

History unfolds like the History unfolds like the Gospel genealogyGospel genealogy ; ; a history which continues a history which continues from father to son, as from father to son, as the Sage says:the Sage says:

Abraham begot Isaac.Abraham begot Isaac.

Isaac begot Jacob. Isaac begot Jacob.

Jacob begot…Jacob begot…

How How great is great is the the mystery mystery of ourof ourheritageheritage ! !

The The mysterymysteryof our of our inheritancinheritancee !!

How How great is great is the the mystery mystery of ourof ourheritageheritage ! !

The The mysterymysteryof our of our inheritancinheritancee !!

Who is Dom Prosper Pascal Guéranger?

Sainte SuzanneIt was in an old fortified city in the It was in an old fortified city in the northern part of Sablé that Pierre northern part of Sablé that Pierre Guéranger married Françoise Jarry Guéranger married Françoise Jarry in 1797. The couple had in 1797. The couple had 66 sons, two of whom died young. sons, two of whom died young. Prosper-Pascal was the third of Prosper-Pascal was the third of four surviving sons.four surviving sons.

Dom GuérangerDom Guéranger Plaza extends over the site of the neighbouring church,

which has since disappeared.

Prosper was a child when his father, a teacher, acquired an old residence

which belonged to the priory of Solesmes, precisely the house where the monks of Solesmes took refuge during the Hundred Years’ War. The

Guérangerfamily lived in this building, which also served as a school, between 1806 and

1821.

of the former parish church where of the former parish church where Prosper Prosper

was baptized on the same day that he was baptized on the same day that he was was

born on the evening of April 4, 1805.born on the evening of April 4, 1805.

Two of his brothers

Constantine, the youngest, pastor of the Constantine, the youngest, pastor of the Chapel of Saint-Aubin, near Chapel of Saint-Aubin, near Mans, nicknamed by Prosper:Mans, nicknamed by Prosper:"My brother the

wolf"

Edward, who will become a pharmacist at Mans, will be a veritable friend to Dom Guéranger and the monastery.

St. Vincent St. Vincent

SeminarySeminaryFr. Guéranger Fr. Guéranger entered thereentered there in in

18231823

Blessed Basile Moreau was professor Blessed Basile Moreau was professor of dogmaof dogma..

Prosper Guéranger at 21 years

Too young to be Too young to be ordained priest, he ordained priest, he was providentially was providentially offered the post of offered the post of secretary to Bishop secretary to Bishop de la Myre of Mans.de la Myre of Mans.

On October 7, On October 7, 18271827,,

Prosper Guéranger Prosper Guéranger waswas

ordained priest ordained priest

at Tours.at Tours.

Cathédrale Saint-Julien au Mans

Father Guéranger was master of ceremonies there before becoming a

canon of the cathedral. He will preach there on several occasions.

Saint-Julien’s Cathedral at Saint-Julien’s Cathedral at MansMans

Tragedy begins : in the spring of 1831, the announcement of the priory being put up for sale makes the young priest jump.

What didn’t they imagine in order to find a buyer? The building could become… a minor seminary, a glass factory, a slate warehouse… The monastery risked becoming prey to those who were at that time called “The Black Band".

Henry Lenoir de Chantelou had bought the priory in 1791. In 1812, he demanded from Emperor Napoleon that the statues of the church at Solesmes, at that time coveted by the prefect of Sarthe, be conserved. From Vilnius, in Lithuania, Napoleon signed a decree that accorded the priory to de Chantelou. In 1825, the priory passed into the hands of three rich proprietors of the region.

"In the course of the spring of 1831, " recounts Dom Guéranger, "the newspapers inserted in their announcements the putting up for sale of the priory of Solesmes which they qualified as an abbey.

This news made a great impression on me.

This monument so loved since childhood, exposed perhaps to strange vicissitudes…"

"With the announcement of Solesmes on sale continuing to appear in the newspapers, " reflected Dom Guéranger,"I could not bear the thought of seeing this house being used, and so I sought a way to save it.All of a sudden, towards the month of June, the idea came to me that if I could gather a few young priests there, we could reestablish the Order of Saint Benedict there with the Divine Office and studies."The purchase of the priory proved to be indispensable: The purchase of the priory proved to be indispensable: left unattended, the proprietors would have begun to left unattended, the proprietors would have begun to demolish it. To put a stop to this act of vandalism, demolish it. To put a stop to this act of vandalism, Father Guéranger hastened to negotiate the location, Father Guéranger hastened to negotiate the location, submitted to his Bishop Carron the names of the priests submitted to his Bishop Carron the names of the priests who had promised their support, and obtained his who had promised their support, and obtained his consent. consent.

Great was he emotion of this promenade on that one summer day! The world of such expressive statues was still there, in that ambiance of peace and freshness which every visitor entering the old church feels.

The "RORATE COELI"RORATE COELI", that prayer of Advent which implores the end of the exile and the return of God to his

temple, was chanted by the two priests.

Dom GuérangerDom Guéranger went to Sabléin July 1831. One of the vicars there brought him to visit the endangered priory.

Altarpiece of theAltarpiece of the Visitation Visitation of of MansMans

"The need of the Church seemed to be so urgent, the ideas of true Christianity so false and so compromised in the ecclesiastical and secular world, that I could not see anything other than to found a center of recollection and to revive the pure traditions."

The Visitation of Mans was invited to begin a novena of prayers on the 7th of December, 1831. "During the first few days, I was praying in the chapel and I was seized by an interior inspiration to consecrate the work of reestablishing the Benedictines in France to the Sacred Heart of Jesus."

" " I myself was I myself was consecrated to the consecrated to the Sacred Heart on Sacred Heart on Holy Thursday in Holy Thursday in 1823. I vowed to 1823. I vowed to ask the Bishop the ask the Bishop the favour of a favour of a Benediction of the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament Blessed Sacrament in honour of the in honour of the SacredSacred

The monastery church and the parish church

Heart, the first Heart, the first Friday ofFriday ofeach month, when each month, when we will have been we will have been established, and to established, and to erect an altar to the erect an altar to the Sacred Heart in the Sacred Heart in the church of our church of our monastery."monastery."

On March 21, 1833, in the parish church of On March 21, 1833, in the parish church of Solesmes,Solesmes,

Father GuérangerFather Guéranger chanted for the first time chanted for the first time the Mass of Saint Benedict, while his the Mass of Saint Benedict, while his

companion filled in as cantor with an old companion filled in as cantor with an old Roman gradual in folio.Roman gradual in folio.

Assisting were two old ladies and an Assisting were two old ladies and an unexpected guest who came to write unexpected guest who came to write an article on the sculptures of an article on the sculptures of Solesmes.Solesmes.

At first the project seemed utopian. The Benedictines did not have the right of citizenship in France, not any more than all the other religious orders. The Revolution had outlawed religious vows, "engagements contrary to the natural rights of man". Napoleon did not want monks who were qualified as "useless" !

However,However,the little group is established at the little group is established at Solesmes on Solesmes on July 11, July 11, 18331833..

Le 11 juillet 1833Le 11 juillet 1833

Around thirty priests accompanyAround thirty priests accompanythe first "monks" from the parish the first "monks" from the parish church to the priory.church to the priory.

July 11, 1833: Feast of Saint Benedict

4444 years after the years after the Revolution, Revolution, monastic life resumed at monastic life resumed at Solesmes. Solesmes.

The "Roman" Mass is chanted; everyone The "Roman" Mass is chanted; everyone listens to a sermon of an old confessor listens to a sermon of an old confessor of the faith of the revolutionary years.of the faith of the revolutionary years.

""From Vespers of this great day, the From Vespers of this great day, the Divine Office has never been interrupted Divine Office has never been interrupted in our church."in our church."

Shortly afterwards, a visitor presents herself, asking to see the prior.

"Father, I heard that the Benedictine life is about to be reborn at Solesmes. Is this true?"

"Yes, Madame."

"Then it is to you that an inheritance which a dying aunt had delegated to me should fall. My aunt had come to the rescue of the monks during the Revolution; she hid the superior general of the Congregation of Saint Maurus, Dom Ambrose Augustine Chevreux. He had confided in her safekeeping these personal objects: here is a pastel portrait of him, the seal of the Congregation, this beautiful book.""Madame, it’s an antiphonary! Heaven has sent you! You are bringing us the blessing of our spiritual ancestor! His heritage!"

Père abbé Dom GuérangerPère abbé Dom Guéranger

Dom Dom

GardereauGardereau

Dom GourbeillonDom Gourbeillon

Among the first monks

Dom FonteinneDom Fonteinne

FatherFather

Osouf Osouf

Brother PlacidBrother Placid

L’ L’

abbatialeabbatiale

Dom GuérangerDom Guéranger

Euphrasie Cosnard benefactress of the

monastery (1809-1879)

At Sablé, there were two pious persons who loved Dom Guéranger very much, a little like Martha and Mary had loved Jesus and were loved by Him. Their names were Marie and Euphrasie Cosnard. He guided them in their spiritual life, counselling confidence and abandonment. All their life, they remained devoted friends of Dom Guéranger.

Marie Cosnard (1798-1855)

The The

"Holy Women" "Holy Women"

of Solesmes of Solesmes

~~~ Les saintes femmes de Solesmes ~~~

Their home resembled this,

with its rounded roof,

typical of the region.

In these early first years, a Russian woman immigrant will also be Dom Guéranger’s protectress,

Mme Swetchine.

Sofia Petrovna Swetchina, née Soïmonov, Moscow 1782 - Paris 1857, wife of General Swetchine. The couple left Russia for Paris, where Madame Swetchine kept a celebrated salon which gathered the most important Catholic personalities of the time.

The new Benedictines waited for three years before adopting the monastic habit.

They wore the soutane and, in order to allow the people

to become accustomed to the reapparition of the frock, they went out enveloped in a large cape with a

pointed hood.

On August 14, 1836, for First Vespers of the Assumption, they descended into choir dressed in a tunic, with a leather belt. Dom Guéranger took the scapular and cowl which were on the altar, put them on, and gave the habit to his companions.

……recited the text in chanting the Word of recited the text in chanting the Word of God, which took all its meaning in the God, which took all its meaning in the expression of the psalmody and the expression of the psalmody and the

melody. Dom Guéranger instinctively melody. Dom Guéranger instinctively discovered the first secret of the discovered the first secret of the

"Solesmes Method"Solesmes Method".".

From the From the

beginning, the beginning, the

new monks new monks

chanted in an chanted in an

impressive impressive

manner: they manner: they

chanted the chanted the

text…text…

The Chant of Monks

……to ask for approbation for the enterprise to ask for approbation for the enterprise he has undertaken at Solesmes. It’s all he has undertaken at Solesmes. It’s all based on hope, hope against all hope: based on hope, hope against all hope: while so many new congregations are while so many new congregations are soliciting the Pope, will the approbation of soliciting the Pope, will the approbation of his work and the Constitutions of Solesmes his work and the Constitutions of Solesmes be accorded to this young unknown?be accorded to this young unknown?

1837: in 1837: in RomeRome

Dom Guéranger meets Dom Guéranger meets in audience with in audience with Pope Gregory Pope Gregory XVI…XVI…

PopeGregory XVI 1765-1846

Mater ProvidentiaeMater Providentiae

In July 1796In July 1796, , this Roman this Roman Madonna Madonna miraculously miraculously shed tears.shed tears. To her, kneeling To her, kneeling before her image before her image on a little street on a little street of the Eternal City, of the Eternal City, the very same day the very same day as her feast, the as her feast, the young prior of young prior of Solesmes confidesSolesmes confidesall his expectations…all his expectations…

~~~ ~~~ SoSo prayedprayed Dom Guéranger onDom Guéranger on July July 9, 1837. ~~~9, 1837. ~~~

And behold the And behold the response! response!

The Papal BriefThe Papal Brief ""Innumeras inter"Innumeras inter"

By the papal brief of September 1, 1837, By the papal brief of September 1, 1837, Gregory XVI Gregory XVI confirmed the Constitutions of Solesmes, confirmed the Constitutions of Solesmes, erected the priory into an abbey and named erected the priory into an abbey and named Dom GuérangerDom Guéranger

Abbot of Solesmes.Abbot of Solesmes.""Monsieur Guéranger is the perpetual Monsieur Guéranger is the perpetual abbot of Solesmes, having ring, cross and abbot of Solesmes, having ring, cross and miter, and head of the Congregation of miter, and head of the Congregation of the Benedictines of France, affiliated to the Benedictines of France, affiliated to Monte Cassino. It is a marvellous Monte Cassino. It is a marvellous outcome and ought to augment in us more outcome and ought to augment in us more and more our love for the Church of and more our love for the Church of Rome."Rome." ( (Mme Swetchine)Mme Swetchine)

During each of his four voyages to Rome, Dom Guéranger brought with him the key to the monastery – represented here – to deposit it before the Confession of Saint Peter.Dom Guéranger was deeply impressed by this great act: by the mouth of the successor of Peter, the Church had pronounced itself in favor of his work.

Solesmes received the mission of leading and propagating the

monastic life in France according to Saint Benedict.

Solesmes was thus recognized as beneficial to the Church.

Solesmes therefore would survive all difficulties, present and future.

On July 26, 1837On July 26, 1837, Dom Dom Guéranger Guéranger pronounced his vows before the pronounced his vows before the altar of the sacristy of Saint Paul altar of the sacristy of Saint Paul Outside-the-Walls.Outside-the-Walls.

Chart of Profession of Dom Chart of Profession of Dom GuérangerGuéranger

Dom Guéranger Returns toDom Guéranger Returns to SolesmesSolesmes

Everything was done with simplicity. Coming by route of Notre-Dame-du-Everything was done with simplicity. Coming by route of Notre-Dame-du-Chêne, he disembarked from the coach at the entrance of the village Chêne, he disembarked from the coach at the entrance of the village bearing his papal insignia, and entered the abbey at the sound of the bells,bearing his papal insignia, and entered the abbey at the sound of the bells,while the monks accompanying him chanted the psalm "while the monks accompanying him chanted the psalm "In convertendoIn convertendo" " (Ps 125/126). (Ps 125/126). In choir, one of the monks read the papal brief, and First Vespers In choir, one of the monks read the papal brief, and First Vespers of All Saints was celebrated.of All Saints was celebrated.

The event soon became known throughout the region. At The event soon became known throughout the region. At first, people came out of curiosity: a Benedictine abbot first, people came out of curiosity: a Benedictine abbot seemed to be such a strange personage. Then little by seemed to be such a strange personage. Then little by little, the nave of the abbatial church found back its little, the nave of the abbatial church found back its solitude.solitude.

Rare were visitors at that time; Leon Landeau, young owner of the marble Rare were visitors at that time; Leon Landeau, young owner of the marble factory, was often alone assisting at the Offices, with the company of afactory, was often alone assisting at the Offices, with the company of ablind man, which caused the neighbors to say:blind man, which caused the neighbors to say:"Beautiful ceremonies, but there is only a blind man to see it all"Beautiful ceremonies, but there is only a blind man to see it all ! " ! " 

ManuscriManuscriptspts

His His "worktab"worktable" le" Books published by DomBooks published by Dom

GuérangerGuéranger

l’office divin

The true riches of the abbey were the The true riches of the abbey were the monastic familymonastic family

Dom Guéranger did not conceive of his abbatial charge as other than that of the thought of Saint Benedict. The monastery is the "house of God"; yes, the church is the house of God par excellence; the monastery is therefore a microcosm of the Church. The head is none other than Jesus Christ, acting through His visible representative:

the Abbotthe Abbot

The true riches were also:

Liturgical life

Studies

The Church of Rome

The Divine OfficeGregorian chant

Gregorian Chant ManuscriptsGregorian Chant Manuscripts

Dom Guéranger had a very sharp second Dom Guéranger had a very sharp second intuition, shortly after that of verbal rhythm: intuition, shortly after that of verbal rhythm: he wanted his monks to chant like "our fathers he wanted his monks to chant like "our fathers of the Middle Ages" and had the manuscripts of the Middle Ages" and had the manuscripts which were conserved in various libraries of which were conserved in various libraries of chant copied. This was the beginning of chant copied. This was the beginning of musical paleography and the work of musical paleography and the work of restoration of Gregorian chant. restoration of Gregorian chant.

The Foundation ofThe Foundation of Sainte-Cécile Sainte-Cécile of Solesmesof Solesmes

Feminine Feminine Presence Presence

in the XIXin the XIXthth CenturyCentury

Dom GuérangerDom Guéranger never dreamed nor ever had the desire to make a foundation for moniales. It was, however, the joy of his last years. And so was born the Monastery of Sainte-Cécile of Solesmes (1866),

whose first abbess, Mother CécileMother Cécile BruyèreBruyère (1845-1909), benefited from the spiritual and

paternal guidance of Dom Guéranger.om Guéranger.

Light and Light and Strength: Strength:

Mother Cécile Mother Cécile BruyèreBruyère""Common sense told me that the hours were Common sense told me that the hours were

only sixty minutes, but He for whom a only sixty minutes, but He for whom a thousand years are but as one day proved to thousand years are but as one day proved to me a hundred times that He is the Master of me a hundred times that He is the Master of Time, as of all things."Time, as of all things."

One ought to pray without ceasing: this interior One ought to pray without ceasing: this interior prayer, without words, is nothing other than the prayer, without words, is nothing other than the very simple exercise of the love of God. very simple exercise of the love of God.

This atmosphere of prayer ought to penetrate our life, from the time we This atmosphere of prayer ought to penetrate our life, from the time we wake up to the time we go to sleep, and, moreover, when we sleep, it is in wake up to the time we go to sleep, and, moreover, when we sleep, it is in the arms of God; a continual prayer penetrates all our being like perfume. the arms of God; a continual prayer penetrates all our being like perfume. This perfume of prayer ought to be exhaled by a This perfume of prayer ought to be exhaled by a

moniale. moniale.

Dom GuérangerJanuary 30, 1875

Dom Guéranger gave back his beautiful soul

to God on

January 30, 1875.

His successor, Father Abbot Dom Charles Couturier and

Mother Abbess Cécile

Bruyère kept his heritage

alive.

Dom Guéranger, by Henri Charlier

In 1937, on the occasion of the centenary of the Benedictine Congregation of France, the sculptor Henri Charlier realized an effigy of Dom Guéranger which one can see in the crypt where the body of the first Abbot of Solesmes reposes.

The Abbey of Solesmes suffers violence…

After the trials of the Middle Ages, the Hundred Years’ War and the Wars of Religion, the XIXth and XXth

centuries bring their share of violence and persecution: two expulsions, exile, the Wars of 1914 and 1940. How many times would the community have perished? It always revived, just like Easter brings Life after Good Friday. As an example, here is the account of the first expulsion during the time of Father Abbot Dom Charles Couturier.

The Time of the Expulsions

The Attack ofNovember 6, 1880

Father AbbotDom Couturier

It is 6: 30. The monks finish Matins. " How they prayed well under the obscure vaults illumined only by the candles of the altar. The faith was ardent in all hearts and we were happy to die martyrs…"

"Get ready, the guards are arriving, " warned Dom Couturier.

From the bell tower, where six monks had received the obedience to lock themselves up, the bell is heard. At the gate of the monastery, the police commissioner asks to see Father Abbot. The latter presents himself. What do these gentlemen want? They come to notify him of an arrest by the prefect of Sarthe ordering the dispersion of the Congregation.

" Would Father Abbot open? We will give him a reading of the order, and we will deliver a copy of it to him."" This is illegal!" responds Dom Couturier. "This arrest is

void." The wicket is closed.

New summons. No response. An order is given to lockpickers to force open the gate. The little entrance gate, made of oak, is 4 cm thick and is reinforced with

blocks of stone and beams. Three quarters of an hour is needed to get to the end of it while the crowd on sight begins to exclaim : " Long live religion!  Long live liberty! Long live the monks! Down with decrees! "

Profession binds monks to their monastery, and force alone would make them leave.

If it took four hours to expel seventeen monks from their cells, how long will it take for sixty who occupy the church?

The Return of 1894-1896"During these years, the monks lived in the village. It was a curious thing to see the monks stride the street of the town in clogs, cowl and books under the arms, morning and evening with lanterns, because the street was not lighted. When the weather was fair, it was not very embarrassing, but when it rained! There were no umbrellas and no overcoats. So they arrived at the church or the refectory, garments wet, feet soaked… I didn’t hear any monk complain."The return of the monks and campaign of constructions

The situation of the expelledFirst hopes of return

Return home and new departure

Tiptoeing back home

Progressive return to normalNew constructionsThe departure of the guards

1909 : Auction of the Abbey

In 1901, as a consequence of the antireligious laws of the Third Republic, the two communities of monks and moniales of Solesmes went into exile in England, on the Isle of Wight.

The Law of 1901 and the Departure for Exile

The monks and moniales returned from exile The monks and moniales returned from exile in 1922. And life continued – it still in 1922. And life continued – it still continues. Each monastery, each soul continues. Each monastery, each soul consecrated to God lives through its consecrated to God lives through its mysteries, joyful, sorrowful, luminous, mysteries, joyful, sorrowful, luminous, glorious. We will not write all this history, we glorious. We will not write all this history, we have to live it, "in adding, each one, his own have to live it, "in adding, each one, his own little pebble."little pebble."

The Successors

Dom GuérangerDom Guéranger 1833-18751833-1875

Dom Charles CouturierDom Charles Couturier 1875-18901875-1890

Dom Paul DelatteDom Paul Delatte 1890-19211890-1921

Dom Germain CozienDom Germain Cozien 1921-19591921-1959

Dom Jean ProuDom Jean Prou 1959-19921959-1992

Dom Philippe Dom Philippe Dupont Dupont 1992-1992-

Daughters of Mother Cécile Daughters of Mother Cécile BruyèreBruyère

Wisques Wisques (1889)(1889)

Pax Cordis IesuPax Cordis Iesu

(Angleterre, (Angleterre, 1950)1950)

Kergonan (1898)Kergonan (1898)Keur GuillayeKeur Guillaye (Sénégal, 1970)(Sénégal, 1970)

Martinique (1977)Martinique (1977)Westfield (USA, 1981)Westfield (USA, 1981)Ste-Marie des Deux-Ste-Marie des Deux-MontagnesMontagnes (Canada, (Canada, 1936)1936)Sainte-Cécile of Sainte-Cécile of SolesmesSolesmes

Mother Cécile Bruyère

1845

1909

1866

Moniales:

The Abbey of Saint-Pierre of Solesmes, The Abbey of Saint-Pierre of Solesmes, being the head and mother of all the being the head and mother of all the Congregation, assumed the title of Congregation, assumed the title of

"Congregation of Solesmes"; thus it affirmed "Congregation of Solesmes"; thus it affirmed the family spirit uniting all the monasteries the family spirit uniting all the monasteries

of monks and moniales of which it is of monks and moniales of which it is composed.composed.

It is formed, in effect, by the union of It is formed, in effect, by the union of several autonomous monasteries issued one several autonomous monasteries issued one from the other ; all in communion with the from the other ; all in communion with the same ideal and the same heritage received same ideal and the same heritage received from Dom Guéranger, each one keeping in from Dom Guéranger, each one keeping in the midst of this unity its own autonomy the midst of this unity its own autonomy

and proper characterand proper character. .

Solesmes 1833

Ganagobie 1858

St-Wandrille 1894

Wisques 1889

Clervaux 1890

La Source 1893

Kergonan 1897

Quarr 1922

Fongombault 1941

Randol 1971

Triors 1984

Donezan 1994

Clear Creek 1999

Vaals 1951

Ligugé 1853

St-Benoît-du-Lac 1912

Martinique 1947

Silos 1880

Madrid 1939

Leyre 1954

Los Caidos 1958 Séguéya

2004

MonksMonks::

The Foundations by The Foundations by FiliationFiliation

Keur Moussa 1961

Palendriai 1998

"A thousand years are but as one day in the eyes of the Lord," says the psalmist (Ps 89/90.4). "On this day in the eyes of the Lord, we each one have our little

place for a few moments; that is to say, those moments pass very rapidly, but they are filled with a multitude of events, happy or dramatic… " Dom Philippe Dupont

Abbot of Solesmes

"Dom Guéranger regards our monasteries as little cells of the Church…" Dom Philippe Dupont

Abbot of Solesmes

SolesmesSolesmes is a name that chants; a name which chants the Gregorian melody of the ancient Roman liturgy.

SolesmesSolesmes also chants the love of the Church in the midst of its fidelity to the Pope, successor of Peter.

This love of the Church, This love of the Church, this fidelity to the Roman this fidelity to the Roman Church and to the Holy Church and to the Holy Father were delegated to Father were delegated to us by us by

Dom GuérangerDom Guéranger

and constitutes an important part of our identity as Solesmian Solesmian

monks.monks.Dom Philippe Dupont Abbot of Solesmes

Fontgombault

Salve Regina MonialesMonks

Sainte Cécile of Solesmes

Wisques

Sainte-Marie des Deux-Montagnes

Kergonan

Ryde

Keur-Guilaye

Westfield

Sainte-Marie des Anges

S. Pierre of Sole

smes

Ganagobie

Clervaux

Kergonan

QuarrLigugé

Silos Paris St Wandrille

Wisques

St-Benoît-du-LacKeur Moussa

Randol

TriorsDonezan

Clear Creek

Segueya

Palendriai

MadridVaals

Martinique

Leyre Los Caidos

January 15, 2010

As most of you know, I had the grace and honor As most of you know, I had the grace and honor of having been received in audience by our Holy of having been received in audience by our Holy Father last Friday, on the occasion of the celebration Father last Friday, on the occasion of the celebration of the Millennium of the Foundation of Solesmes. It of the Millennium of the Foundation of Solesmes. It was a very moving moment, but at the same time very was a very moving moment, but at the same time very simple, the Pope being so close and attentive to all simple, the Pope being so close and attentive to all that was said to him. He kept me for close to a quarter that was said to him. He kept me for close to a quarter of an hour. I was able to speak of our monastery, of an hour. I was able to speak of our monastery, evidently, of Dom Guéranger, as well as our evidently, of Dom Guéranger, as well as our Congregation about which I gave a rapid tour. He Congregation about which I gave a rapid tour. He keeps all of us in his prayer and in his blessing, keeps all of us in his prayer and in his blessing, counting also on our prayer. We know his esteem for counting also on our prayer. We know his esteem for Benedictine monastic life and for beautiful liturgy; this Benedictine monastic life and for beautiful liturgy; this is great encouragement for us that we may remain is great encouragement for us that we may remain faithful to our vocation as disciples of Saint Benedict faithful to our vocation as disciples of Saint Benedict and Dom Guéranger.and Dom Guéranger.

Be assured that I have carried all your Be assured that I have carried all your intentions and those of your community in my intentions and those of your community in my pilgrimages to the Roman basilicas, and be assured of pilgrimages to the Roman basilicas, and be assured of my devotion in the Lord and his Mother.my devotion in the Lord and his Mother.

+ Br. Philippe Dupont, Abbot + Br. Philippe Dupont, Abbot January 15, 2010January 15, 2010

Letter to Abbots and Abbesses of the Congregation Letter to Abbots and Abbesses of the Congregation of Solesmesof Solesmes

2010

Pax Christi veniat. Regnum Christi Pax Christi veniat. Regnum Christi veniat.veniat. Deo gratias. Amen!Deo gratias. Amen!

1010

2010

Dom Thierry Barbeau, Mille ans d’histoire à l’Abbaye de Solesmes

2010

Sources :

Dom Louis Soltner, Solesmes et Dom Guéranger

Dom Guy-M. Oury, Dom Guéranger, moine au cœur de l’Église

Dom Thierry Barbeau, Mille ans d’histoire à l’Abbaye de Solesmes

Website of the Monks of Solesmes: Click here :www.abbayedesolesmes.fr www.sm2m.ca

Website of the moniales of Sainte-Marie : Click here :

Text andText and Mounting:Mounting:Benedictine Moniales of the

Abbaye

Sainte-Marie des Deux-Montagnes

(Canada)

Dom Paul Delatte, Vie de Dom Guéranger, abbé de Solesmes