Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Fontgombault monks and Gregorian chant in America

Many of you know about Our Lady of the Annunciation of Clear Creek in Hulbert, Oklahoma. For a couple of years they've been sending me wonderful CD recordings of the monastic choir of the Abbey of Notre Dame de Fontgombault, in France. This is what happens if you get on their mailing list.

Our Lady of the Annunciation of Clear Creek is a monastic foundation of the French Abbey Notre Dame de Fontgombault, itself a foundation of Saint Pierre de Solesmes. Over the years Solesmes started new monasteries, one of which was the Abbey of Fontgombault, restored to monastic life in 1948. Fontgombault in turn, after having sent monks to three monasteries in France, has now started one in Oklahoma in response to the gracious invitation of His Excellency Edward Slattery, Bishop of Tulsa.

With trust in Divine Providence and the generosity of Catholics who love the Latin Mass and Gregorian Chant, the Benedictine monks of Our Lady of Clear Creek have chosen a hilltop site on their property, and architect Thomas Gordon Smith of Notre Dame has produced watercolor renderings of what the new monastery they envision might look like -- "a monastery to last a thousand years."

Visit the Clear Creek Monastery website and read about their history, their vision, and their plans for the future. Click on their "How to Help" link and get yourself put on their mailing list. You'll start receiving some of the most incredible Gregorian Chant recordings in circulation. Make a donation, if you can.

Of related interest: Arbre Généalogique de La Congrégation de Solesmes.

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