The abbey of Notre-Dame de Scourmont, is located in Forges a few kilometers from Chimay, Belgium, is an abbey of the Cistercian order Its construction dates back to the second part of the nineteenth century and is managed by the monks of the order of Cîteaux.
The community of monks is famous for the production of Chimay Trappist beer and the homonymous cheese, known all over the world. There is also a guesthouse to accommodate those in search of the deepest sense of quiet and spirituality.
Scourmont Abbey History
The Abbey of Notre-Dame de Scourmont, located in the Forges territory, seven kilometers south of the city of Chimay, Belgium, is an abbey of the Cistercian order. Its construction dates back to the second half of the nineteenth century and is the work of a community of Trappist monks who founded it on the initiative of the abbot Jourdain on a land offered by Prince Joseph de Chimay. The priory, founded in 1850, was elevated to the rank of an abbey in 1871.
The Scourmont community currently has 13 monks between the ages of 45 and 99. The monks of Scourmont pursue, in solitude, a life of prayer and work in solidarity with the Church, the Society and the local population. Their hostel is open to those who want to share the solitude and prayer of the monks for a few days, and their social service is open to the most disadvantaged. Many activities, retreats and conferences are offered throughout the year.
Hospitality is a tradition of Benedictine and Cistercian life, and for this reason each monastery has a wing, called an "inn", intended for guests. At Scourmont, this tradition remains alive: the spacious guesthouse is open to people or groups who want to share the solitude, quiet and prayer of the monks for a few days.