Gregorian Chant Mass at St Benedict Abbey (Saint-Benoît-du-Lac) in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada
I have never heard of Saint Benedict Abbey (Abbaye Saint-Benoît-du-Lac) until I met the man fishing at the pier in North Hatley.
He told me about the abbey, that it is the only monastery left in Canada with monks living in it from the Benectine order in France. The seminary is set on a dramatic hilly landscape with lush surroundings overlooking Lake Memphremagog. He added that the monks offer a Gregorian chant public mass service on Sundays. When I heard Gregorian chant, my ears became as big as Bugs Bunny.
‘What do you mean Gregorian chant?’ I clarified excitedly.
The fishing man on the pier chuckled and he knew he got bait. ‘It is the only remaining monastery in all over Canada that offers mass services in Gregorian chant!’
And he added, with a serious tone in his voice, ‘You better make sure its one of your stops.’
Oh, he doesn’t have to sternly remind me. I am going to Saint-Benoit-du-Lac! For sure. Did I tell on this blog that I am crazy about Enigma? A new age musical project from Germany. Enigma is inspired by the Gregorian chants.
As you can see, it does pay to talk to the locals =)
Some additional reading about the abbey and choir:
Abbey of Saint-Benoit-du-Lac
Choir of the Abbey of Saint-Benoit-du-Lac
My route from North Hatley where I stayed passing via Magog and then Saint-Benoit-du-Lac:
Fast forward and I was in the parking lot of the abbey. It was just before 11:00 Sunday morning and I noticed a lot of cars parked already. There must be a mass service going on I thought, and I can only hope to witness the Gregorian chant mass in a few minutes.
I hurried across the driveway and silently entered the chilled hall of the monastery. My eyes went quickly to the vibrant interior walls, ceiling and floor that welcomed me. Oh wow, what a kaleidoscope of colours. My educational background is art and design, so sometimes I just cannot help myself but stop and appreciate beautiful craft. On the hallway walls I found an exhibit about the history of the abbey.
In the basement is the shop where the monks sell home-made jelly, jam, cider and cheese. But it is closed and I wondered why. But before I could even think of a reason I heard the chants vibrating against the walls of the building. I went back up and walked on the long hallway until I reached the end where it brought me to the entrance of the abbey’s church.
Ah, there it is, the mass service and the monks are standing around the officiating priest dressed in long dark gowns and they were chanting. The Benedictine monks and their Gregorian chants!
I stepped inside the church, sat down on the last pew and joined the mass, even if I didn’t understand a single thing as it was all in French (and Latin I suppose?). I do not believe in any god by the way, but I do not mind taking part in religious gatherings. I pay my respects and have learned to appreciate the Eucharistic ceremony. I see it now as part of culture that is special to mankind, and in this case here at Saint-Benoit-du-Lac, extra special. It does not happen everyday or every month when you get the chance to visit a Benectine Abbey and witness the monks chant in Gregorian.
So I sat there between the believers, an atheist-agnostic-heathen as some would probably call me, listening to the service and the monks chant. It was beautiful music in my ears and I am very happy to be here. Now I understand why the Cretu, the man behind Enigma was drawn to Gregorian chants.
Sorry—no picture and video of the monks singing the chants.
After mass I went outside for a little walk. Just by the entrance of the abbey is an apple farm. It is open and is selling freshly picked apples by the crate. You can also pick the apples from the trees yourself.
I haven’t been to an apple farm and there are lots of them in the Netherlands. Maybe because I am not a big apple person. I do not mind picking cherries though because I like them, which reminds me, it is cherry season now. I may need to drag the Dutchman to a nearby cherry farm one of these weekends.
So with that, I left Saint Benoit-du-Lac with a big smile plastered across my face. At last, I have witnessed the real Benedictine monks singing the original Gregorian chants.
Travel Period: October 2015
Destination: Saint Benoit du Lac, Eastern Townships (Quebec), Canada
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
He told me about the abbey, that it is the only monastery left in Canada with monks living in it from the Benectine order in France. The seminary is set on a dramatic hilly landscape with lush surroundings overlooking Lake Memphremagog. He added that the monks offer a Gregorian chant public mass service on Sundays. When I heard Gregorian chant, my ears became as big as Bugs Bunny.
‘What do you mean Gregorian chant?’ I clarified excitedly.
The fishing man on the pier chuckled and he knew he got bait. ‘It is the only remaining monastery in all over Canada that offers mass services in Gregorian chant!’
And he added, with a serious tone in his voice, ‘You better make sure its one of your stops.’
Oh, he doesn’t have to sternly remind me. I am going to Saint-Benoit-du-Lac! For sure. Did I tell on this blog that I am crazy about Enigma? A new age musical project from Germany. Enigma is inspired by the Gregorian chants.
As you can see, it does pay to talk to the locals =)
Some additional reading about the abbey and choir:
Abbey of Saint-Benoit-du-Lac
Choir of the Abbey of Saint-Benoit-du-Lac
My route from North Hatley where I stayed passing via Magog and then Saint-Benoit-du-Lac:
Fast forward and I was in the parking lot of the abbey. It was just before 11:00 Sunday morning and I noticed a lot of cars parked already. There must be a mass service going on I thought, and I can only hope to witness the Gregorian chant mass in a few minutes.
I hurried across the driveway and silently entered the chilled hall of the monastery. My eyes went quickly to the vibrant interior walls, ceiling and floor that welcomed me. Oh wow, what a kaleidoscope of colours. My educational background is art and design, so sometimes I just cannot help myself but stop and appreciate beautiful craft. On the hallway walls I found an exhibit about the history of the abbey.
In the basement is the shop where the monks sell home-made jelly, jam, cider and cheese. But it is closed and I wondered why. But before I could even think of a reason I heard the chants vibrating against the walls of the building. I went back up and walked on the long hallway until I reached the end where it brought me to the entrance of the abbey’s church.
Ah, there it is, the mass service and the monks are standing around the officiating priest dressed in long dark gowns and they were chanting. The Benedictine monks and their Gregorian chants!
I stepped inside the church, sat down on the last pew and joined the mass, even if I didn’t understand a single thing as it was all in French (and Latin I suppose?). I do not believe in any god by the way, but I do not mind taking part in religious gatherings. I pay my respects and have learned to appreciate the Eucharistic ceremony. I see it now as part of culture that is special to mankind, and in this case here at Saint-Benoit-du-Lac, extra special. It does not happen everyday or every month when you get the chance to visit a Benectine Abbey and witness the monks chant in Gregorian.
So I sat there between the believers, an atheist-agnostic-heathen as some would probably call me, listening to the service and the monks chant. It was beautiful music in my ears and I am very happy to be here. Now I understand why the Cretu, the man behind Enigma was drawn to Gregorian chants.
Sorry—no picture and video of the monks singing the chants.
After mass I went outside for a little walk. Just by the entrance of the abbey is an apple farm. It is open and is selling freshly picked apples by the crate. You can also pick the apples from the trees yourself.
I haven’t been to an apple farm and there are lots of them in the Netherlands. Maybe because I am not a big apple person. I do not mind picking cherries though because I like them, which reminds me, it is cherry season now. I may need to drag the Dutchman to a nearby cherry farm one of these weekends.
So with that, I left Saint Benoit-du-Lac with a big smile plastered across my face. At last, I have witnessed the real Benedictine monks singing the original Gregorian chants.
Almost there... =)
At the entrance of the abbey you can find this apple farm.
Saint Benedict Abbey (Abbaye Saint-Benoit-du-Lac).
The corridor with a lot of historical information on the wall about the abbey.
A kaleidoscope of colours on the floor.
Anybody who enters this space I am sure will stop for a second or two to appreciate the colourful tilework design.
I wandered a bit outside the grounds of the abbey but didn't go far away as I didn't want to trespass.
I went instead to check out the apple farm. The name of these crates of apples is very apt!
They were selling freshly picked apples by the crate.
But you can pick them yourself such as this person who just came back from apple picking.
The store of the farm.
Goodbye Saint-Benoit-du-Lac! On my way here to Montreal =)
Travel Period: October 2015
Destination: Saint Benoit du Lac, Eastern Townships (Quebec), Canada
Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
