The Catholic community under the French name of Les Recluses Missionnaires was founded in 1943, in Alberta, Canada. The community offers its members a monastic way of life, with perpetual adoration of the Eucharist and an accent on silence and solitude following the example of Jeanne LeBer, a recluse who lived in the early days of Montreal. The monastery is located in the eastern part of the island of Montreal, along the Rivière-des-Prairies, and is surrounded by a regional park. The country setting is favourable to silence and solitude for the Sisters and for the guests who benefit of a few days of retreat. Accommodations below.  The "two
windows"The "two windows" of Presence to God and Presence to the world illustrate very well the spirituality of the Recluse Sisters, as well as that of recluse women of Medieval times. Tradition tells us, in fact, that most of these women lived in a small apartment attending a Church. Through one window, the recluse had view on the tabernacle of the Church. The other window allowed the people around to confide their intentions of prayer to the recluse. Thus lived Jeanne LeBer (1662-1714), who is an inspiration for the Recluse Sisters. Jeanne, a well-balanced woman, lived in complete seclusion during thirty-four years. Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament was her magnet. In her cell, she embroidered masterpieces, some of which are preserved. Her way of life seems to us today more admirable than imitable. Nevertheless, the spirit which was hers, of eucharistic adoration and intercession for her brothers and sisters, may harmonize with any state of life. You are not to spread out, but to deepen
yourself;
you are not to be exhausted, but to be fulfilled. Aelred of Rievaulx
to his sister recluse,
XII th Century
Presence to God  Enlarge the tabernacle here The icon of the Annunciation on the doors of the tabernacle symbolizes Mary's place near her Son. Day and night, the Recluse Sisters take turns for adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed in their chapel. The Eucharist celebrated and adored is the core of their life. Their spirituality is one of offering and thanksgiving to the Father, through Jesus, in the Holy Spirit.  Morning, midday
and evening, the community gathers to pray the Divine Office. This
Liturgy, mainly composed of Psalms, is the great prayer of the People
of God who praise Him and recognize His action in the universe.The Word of God, meditated privately, lectio divina in the monastic tradition, is the daily bread of the Recluse Sister. While ruminating the Word, she progressively learns the eminent science of Jesus Christ, as urged by saint Paul. Contemplative life tends to grow in a climate of peace, detachment and interiority which fosters the search for God. The community offers the Sisters a schedule and an environment assuring solitude within common life. Silence makes this possible. A Father of the Desert declared one day that silence is the portable cell that never leaves a man of prayer. Authentic solitude is not isolation. For the Recluse Sister, it is solitude - communion: communion with her Sisters who sustain her in her human and spiritual progress; communion with her brothers and sisters of the world to whom she feels bound. Presence to the world  Prayer
of adoration and prayer
of intercession are inseparable.
How can one adore the
Creator and forget the creature? The Recluse Sisters are keenly aware
of their double mission of adoration and intercession. They are missionaries mainly through prayer.
It is said of the ancient recluse women, though vowed to a strict
seclusion, that they hospitalized in
their heart the sorrows and joys of all men and women.
The Recluse
Sisters intend to carry on this tradition. A privileged and concrete way for
monasteries to open wide their window
of Presence to the world is through hospitality. By reserving rooms or
hermitages for guests in their monastery, the Recluse Sisters
share with seekers of God the prayerful atmosphere of the house and the
beauty of the surroundings.
A stay of one or more days at the
monastery is always a spiritual
experience for a guest whatever the motive: contemplation, rest, study,
reflection. Preserving the quietness of the monastery is essential.
Therefore is it required that the guest be capable of silence, thus
preserving his inward peace and that of others. We offer
hospitality to God-seeking
people
who wish to share the gift of prayer with us in the Liturgy
and in
silent adoration.
Reservations by phone only: 514-648-6801
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 Prayer Request Photo Album More on Jeanne Le Ber The twelve degrees of silence Vocational Requirements |
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