A Benedictine Monastery Reconnects to the Society of Saint Pius X

The Kloster vom Unbefleckten Herzen Mariens
Located near Monschau in Germany, the Benedictine monastery of Reichenstein was founded in the 12th century as a Premonstratensian monastery, on the site of a former 11th century fortified castle. After its secularization in 1802, the premises were sold to private individuals. And for two centuries, the buildings served as a tile factory and agricultural business.
In 2008, the Benedictine monastery of Notre-Dame de Bellaigue, in Auvergne, attached itself to the Tradition of the Church and the traditional liturgy in Latin. At that point, a community friendly to the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) received the estate. A long process of restoration work began to restore this location to its monastic roots.
However, in 2019, following internal difficulties at the monastery of Bellaigue, the SSPX had to break its ties with the superior of the two religious houses. On February 2, 2025, the monastery of Reichenstein in turn cut its relations with the prior of Bellaigue, and thereby renewed ties with the Society.
We publish here the press release by which this decision was made public.
Communiqué from the Kloster vom Unbefleckten Herzen Mariens, Reichenstein, Germany
After much reflection and prayer, due to the serious internal problems at the Monastery of Our Lady of Bellaigue, and the recourse to the [SSPX] “Resistance” for ordinations, we are distancing ourselves from the authority of Rev. Fr. Placide (Prior of the Monastery of Our Lady of Bellaigue, our mother house). In conscience, we can no longer depend on him.
We want to continue our monastic life in fidelity to the Benedictine tradition and to the Tradition of the Catholic Church, in closeness and friendship with the SSPX.

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(Sources : Kloster vom Unbefleckten Herzen Mariens/MG – FSSPX.Actualités)
Illustration : © Carschten / Wikimedia Commons
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