Trappists

Trappists are members of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (OCSO), a reform movement within the Cistercian tradition of the Catholic Church. The name comes from La Grande Trappe Abbey in France, where in 1664 Armand Jean le Bouthillier de Rancé sought a stricter interpretation of the Benedictine Rule, giving rise to the Trappist tradition.

Trappists pursue a life of contemplative prayer and work, with emphasis on simplicity and communal living. They live in autonomous monasteries within the same order, under the leadership of an abbot or abbess. The daily schedule typically includes the Divine Office at regular hours, periods of silence, and periods of manual labor, with meals taken in common. Monasteries are generally cloistered and self-sustaining, maintaining a simple lifestyle and limited external contact.

Economy and presence: There are Trappist monasteries across Europe, North America, and other regions. Many communities produce goods such as cheese and beer to support the monastic life. Products from these monasteries may carry the Authentic Trappist Product label, indicating the goods were produced within a Trappist monastery, often under the supervision of the monks or lay collaborators.