Klosterfællesskaber

Klosterfællesskaber are communities of people living together in a monastery or monastic house under a common rule. They arise from the broader tradition of Christian monasticism and are typically organized around shared vows, such as poverty, chastity, and obedience, and a regular schedule of prayer, work, and study. The life is usually cenobitic, meaning members commit to a stable community rather than solitary living. The community is traditionally governed by an abbot or abbess, or by a prior, depending on the order, and daily life follows a liturgical timetable that integrates worship, common meals, and labor.

Historically, klosterfællesskaber played a central role in religious, cultural, and economic life in medieval Europe. Monastic houses served as centers of learning, manuscript production, hospitality, and agricultural development. Over time, different orders—such as Benedictines, Cistercians, Augustinians, and Franciscans—adapted the rule to their charisms, emphasizing contemplative life, mission, or community service. In many regions, including Denmark, most medieval monasteries were dissolved during the Reformation in the 16th century, and monastic life in its traditional form largely disappeared. In later centuries, new or re-founded communities, as well as lay or ecumenical groups, emerged in various shapes, focusing on hospitality, retreat, spiritual formation, or social care.

Today, klosterfællesskaber in Northern Europe often combine contemplative practices with openness to guests, spiritual guidance, and educational or social activities. They may be strictly cloistered or include lay participants who share in certain disciplines or routines, depending on the tradition and governance of the community.