Monastery
Our Lady of the Annunciation
12050
East
Gouin Blvd
Montreal Qc
H1C 1B8
Canada
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| 514-648-6801
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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
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
Accommodations :
- 8 single rooms, sink; one with bath, toilet;
- 2
twin
rooms, sink; one with shower, toilet;
- 2 hermitages, kitchenette, shower,
toilet;
- 2 meeting rooms,
max. 40 persons.
Facilities :
Chapel,
library, hiking
trails, biking and skiing.
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Location :
East end of
the island of Montreal ;
Autoroute 40
Metropolitaine;
From West,
Exit 92, Turn left on Gouin, Drive 1 km.
From East, Exit 85, Blvd.
St-Jean-Baptiste North for 2km, Turn right on
Gouin, Drive 2km.
Betwwen
4:00 p.m. and 6:00
p.m. coming from West, take Exit 83
instead of 92. Blvd
St-Jean-Baptiste North for 2 km, Turn right on Gouin, Drive 2 km.
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Prayer Request
Photo Album
More on Jeanne
Le Ber
The twelve degrees of silence
Vocational Requirements
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