A New Future for our monks in Peru
In February Br. Jose Luis was voted through for Solemn Profession in the monastery in Peru. At this Chapter meeting Fr. Abbot gave the community some very important news concerning the community in Peru. This was the offer of the monastery at Lurin by the Abbess and community of the Cistercian Abbey of Las Huelgas in Spain. Fr. Abbot was to visit the nuns in Spain to discuss this offer and return with details.
Short history of the
monastery at Lurin
Twenty five years ago the famous Royal Cistercian Abbey of Las Huelgas, Spain, founded in 1187, made a foundation at Lurin, about 30 miles from south of Lima. 13.6 acres were bought on the outskirts of the town and a complete monastery built. It comprises a church, monastery with 30 ensuite cells, all other necessary rooms/areas, workshops, guest house with 12 ensuite rooms, cemetery and a fruit farm developed. It also contains many works of art from the colonial Cistercian monastery in Lima; suppressed in 1980, and bears the name of that historic Peruvian house. Unfortunately, over the years there was a lack of local vocations and so the Cistercian Congregation of St Bernard, to which they belonged, decided to close the monastery and recall the few remaining nuns back to Spain. A group of Poor Clares were asked to take over the house but this did not work out, and so the Abbess asked if our monks at Pachacamac would be able to take the monastery. We have been good friends with the Cistercian nuns since 1992 and the communities are close. The monks in Peru were all in favour of the move and the Council at Belmont were kept informed throughout. In March Fr. Abbot visited Spain to speak with Abbess Mercedes, her Council and community. There were certain conditions that were eventually sorted out with assistance from Br. Mario and Fr. Richard Yeo . The move to Lurin will remove the need to raise money to build at Pachacamac, enabling the community to concentrate on its prayer, work and service. Fr. Abbot went out to Peru for the Solemn Profession of Br. José Luis on March 21st, St. Benedict's Solemnity. He also clothed Br. Ascensio on the eve of the feast. On March 6th the Belmont Chapter decided to accept the request of the Abbess and Community to take over their ormer daughter house at Lurin. It has a 10 acre orchard which provides a good income. It is a ten minute walk from the cathedral, local seminary, market, bus stops etc. There will be the opportunity to work with the poor
The local Bishop supports this new move for our brethren and he feels sure that they will build upon their good work at Pachacamac. The Abbess and former Superior were overjoyed at the presence of the monks in their former house. The complete archive of the former colonial monastery is kept at Lurin.
This was founded in 1584 and suppressed in 1966. The new Cistercian foundation was declared by the Holy See to be the he original monastery and was dedicated "Our Lady of the Holy Trinity" the historical title. Another religious community "The Servants of Divine Mercy" will be moving into the buildings at Pachacamac and renting them from the monks.
Our community will be known as Monjes Benedictinos de la Encarnacion , and their new address is Monasterio Santa Maria de la Santisima Trinidad, Lurin, Lima 16 .
The Abbess of Las Huelgas said that she saw the will and hand of God in all that had happened. Please pray for the monks as they take over the house and develop their life there.
The Community now comprises the following monks; Rev Dom Alex, Dom Mario, Dom Juan Edgar, Dom Percy, Dom Wilmer, Dom José Luis and Br. Ascencio. (Dom Richard Yeo is living there at present).
