Advertisement

Learn more about Brandon Sun Advertising solutions

Exposure: Our Lady of the Prairies

By: Tim Smith Posted: Last Modified:

Advertisement

Advertise with us

A little ways south of Holland on Highway 35 sits the Notre Dame Des Prairies (Our Lady of the Prairies) Monastery, where six elderly Trappist monks tend to their large property, make and sell cheese, and spend their days in prayer.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!

As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.

Now, more than ever, we need your support.

Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.

Subscribe Now

or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.

Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com
  • Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/06/2015 (3942 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A little ways south of Holland on Highway 35 sits the Notre Dame Des Prairies (Our Lady of the Prairies) Monastery, where six elderly Trappist monks tend to their large property, make and sell cheese, and spend their days in prayer.

The Trappists are a Roman Catholic religious order that for centuries has followed The Rule of Saint Benedict, a book of precepts that describes the ideals of monastic life. The order takes its name from the La Trappe Abbey in France. The monastery sits on a large property with well manicured grounds, gardens, statues and wooded areas.

Although the public is not allowed into the monastery itself, they are welcome to explore the grounds as well as visit the church and the small boutique where they can buy cheese, preserves and various religious items.

Tim Smith/Brandon Sun Brother Jacques Besse rings the church bells during the Sext and None prayers in the church after lunch. Six monks currently reside at the monastery.
Tim Smith/Brandon Sun Brother Jacques Besse rings the church bells during the Sext and None prayers in the church after lunch. Six monks currently reside at the monastery.

Visitors can get a small glimpse into the lives of the monks that carry on centuries-old traditions in the quiet solitude of the Prairies. However, the opportunity likely won’t be around forever, as all of the remaining monks are now in their twilight years.

Tim Smith/Brandon Sun Brother Alberic Brunette delivers lunch to the guest kitchen in the monastery for Daniel Klyne, a guest who has been helping out at the monastery for over a month. The Trappist monks are vegetarian but still cook meat for their guests.
Tim Smith/Brandon Sun Brother Alberic Brunette delivers lunch to the guest kitchen in the monastery for Daniel Klyne, a guest who has been helping out at the monastery for over a month. The Trappist monks are vegetarian but still cook meat for their guests.
Tim Smith/Brandon Sun Klyne eats lunch alone in the guest kitchen. Guests can come stay at the monastery and help out with the daily chores on the peaceful property. Klyne helps out in the cheese factory and with yard work.
Tim Smith/Brandon Sun Klyne eats lunch alone in the guest kitchen. Guests can come stay at the monastery and help out with the daily chores on the peaceful property. Klyne helps out in the cheese factory and with yard work.
Tim Smith/Brandon Sun Rosary beads hang from a statue on the monastery property.
Tim Smith/Brandon Sun Rosary beads hang from a statue on the monastery property.
Tim Smith/Brandon Sun The monks are buried in the cemetery on the property when they pass away. The monastery can accommodate up to 30 monks in the living quarters, much more than currently reside there.
Tim Smith/Brandon Sun The monks are buried in the cemetery on the property when they pass away. The monastery can accommodate up to 30 monks in the living quarters, much more than currently reside there.
Tim Smith/Brandon Sun John Nguyen turns up the soil in the large garden on the property. The monks grow their own vegetables for use. Nguyen helps out in the garden and lives on the property.
Tim Smith/Brandon Sun John Nguyen turns up the soil in the large garden on the property. The monks grow their own vegetables for use. Nguyen helps out in the garden and lives on the property.
Tim Smith/Brandon Sun Brother Roland Lacombe prays in the monastery church after lunch. The monks begin their day in the church at 3:30 a.m. and visit the church several more times during the day. The monks divide their days between manual labour, study and prayer.
Tim Smith/Brandon Sun Brother Roland Lacombe prays in the monastery church after lunch. The monks begin their day in the church at 3:30 a.m. and visit the church several more times during the day. The monks divide their days between manual labour, study and prayer.
Tim Smith/Brandon Sun Brother Alberic Brunette washes the Fromage de La Trappe cheese with salt water in the ripening cellar below the small factory where he makes six wheels of cheese, four times a week. The cheese must ripen for two months before it can be sold. The monastery has a small shop where the cheese and other items can be purchased. It is also sold at a few restaurants and stores in Winnipeg.
Tim Smith/Brandon Sun Brother Alberic Brunette washes the Fromage de La Trappe cheese with salt water in the ripening cellar below the small factory where he makes six wheels of cheese, four times a week. The cheese must ripen for two months before it can be sold. The monastery has a small shop where the cheese and other items can be purchased. It is also sold at a few restaurants and stores in Winnipeg.

Advertisement Advertise With Us

Advertisement Advertise With Us

Report Error Submit a Tip

Advertisement

Learn more about Brandon Sun Advertising solutions

Local

LOAD MORE