The Abbey of Regina Laudis

Let him look upon all the utensils of the monastery and its whole
property as upon the sacred vessels of the altar.

he Abbey of Regina Laudis comprises approximately 400 acres of both wild and cultivated land, including a non- commercial working farm, professionally operated by the community. We raise dairy and beef cattle, swine, sheep, and

oxen, with a developing specialty in breeds in need of conservation. Our dairy, which has been designated a Dairy of Distinction by the State of Connecticut, makes it possible for us to supply fresh milk, cheese and butter for our community and guests. In addition, the community strives towards sustainability through management

of its pastures and hay fields, orchards, small fruits, and vegetable and herb gardens. Almost since the beginning of the Foundation, we have been able to keep bees and supply our own honey. Through all these means we produce as much of our own food as possible and take joy in preparing it ourselves.

nother hallmark of Regina Laudis is the insistence on the cultivation of flowers as an essential complement to the work of the farm. The monastic buildings are surrounded by a
wide variety of flower gardens and ornamental plantings, and the community horticulturists maintain several greenhouses, enabling us to enhance the sanctuary with flowers and plants throughout all the seasons of the year.

n recent years three members of the community have received doctoral degrees from the University of Connecticut in Animal Science (Reproductive Physiology), Plant Science (Agronomy) and Microbiology (the microbial ecology of cheese ripening). These studies have enabled us to continue to improve our professional approach to our farm and opened up many avenues of practical collaboration with

the university. Professional development serves a vital role in the formation process of each woman in the abbey as she develops the contemplative dimension of some particular aspect of stewardship.

The degree of reverence for creation mandated by St. Benedict sets a standard that has made Benedictines environmentally conscientious from the beginning of their history. The injunction in the Rule to treat the property of the monastery as “sacred vessels of the altar,” suggests that everything in creation is potentially capable of

mediating union with God. Some areas of the abbey land are especially designated Environmental-Historical Preserve, which means they are reserved as part of the monastic enclosure, but also that they hold significant historical landmarks or fragile environments, such as wetlands or wildlife habitats that need to be protected.

he late conservationist Rene Dubos wrote that St. Benedict should be considered as a patron saint of those who believe that conservation and preservation means developing human activities that create sustainable relationships between human and nonhuman life. The Regina Laudis community strives to consider all aspects of the environment as interdependent and so to relate our agricultural efforts within the broader ecological and cultural fabric of our

neighbors and the region. Areas of particular ecological concern include forest management, erosion control, recycling and composting, waste management, and water quality initiatives.

ince 1993 we have been working with local, state, and federal agencies to protect and enhance the abundant wetland and aquatic environments on the property of the monastery. A River Restoration Grant awarded to the abbey by the Connecticut DEP in 2000, with funds for protection of headwater streams of the Pomperaug watershed, has contributed to significant improvements in aquatic habitat on the property.

aint Benedict put a high value on the qualities of order, proportion and simplicity, which also foster a love of beauty and attention to architecture. Various sculptures, bas-reliefs, and works in stained glass by abbey artists can be seen on the grounds, in the monastery chapel, in the Monastic Art Shop, and in the Church of Jesu Fili Mariæ, which was designed by members of the community. Visitors to the church will want to take note of the metal

grille enclosing the monastic choir, which was fabricated at our blacksmith shop, as well as the the sculpted sheep on the path leading up to the church and the bronze birds that rest upon the tabernacle. Original paintings by Mother Placid Dempsey, O.S.B., are featured throughout this site: St. Benedict, Our Lady in the Red Dress and Our Lady of the Cross.

ottery, weaving, blacksmithing, candle-making, photography, book-binding, cheese-making, and graphic design are all flourishing at the abbey today. Through our craftsmen and artists we are able to bring the gifts of creation to the sanctuary as part of our liturgical worship and expression of praise. The wax from the bees may become the Pachal candle, or the wool from our sheep woven into vestments, or works from our pottery fashioned into vases

for flowers or vessels for water and wine for the celebration of Mass. The labor of these craftsmen allows us to experience the integrity of hand-made objects in our daily surroundings and to also share our life through such wares as are made available for sale at the Monastic Art Shop. The respect for craftsmanship is an attitude the community seeks to apply to all aspects of manual work, from lawn-care to cooking to composting. There is no labor that cannot be assumed into our life of prayer or celebrated as a medium of relationship with one another and with Christ.

THEATER · MONASTIC ART SHOP · CRECHE