France: Mont Saint-Michel celebrates 1050 years of monastic presence
September 29, 2016, is the 1050th anniversary of the monastic presence on Mont Saint-Michel. It was in 966 that the first Benedictine monks arrived on Mont-Tombe.
In 709 was established the original chapel in honour of the Archangel St. Michael by St. Aubert, bishop of Avranches. But the canons of Mont Saint-Michel had to yield to the Benedictines when Richard I, duke of Normandy, invited them there with the approval of Pope John XIII. In 966 Maynard I, at the head of his monks from the abbeys of Saint-Wandrille, Jumieges and Saint-Taurin d’Evreux, established the Benedictine Rule there.
The monks occupied the place until 1791, when they were forced out by the Revolution and the monastery was confiscated and turned into a prison for refractory priests. They were allowed back in 1966 for the 1000th anniversary of their original foundation. In 2001 they were replaced by a recently founded monastic brotherhood.
Today the Association of the Priory of Mont Saint-Michel, situated in Ardevon, is responsible for demonstrations, exhibitions, pilgrimages, and conferences to celebrate the anniversary of the arrival of the disciples of St. Benedict.
Under the protection of St. Michael, Prince of the heavenly hosts, this site is one of the Christian beacons of the West.
(Sources: diocese of Coutances and Avranches/pelerin-montsaintmichel -- DICI no. 341 dated September 30, 2016)
Read also:
France: The Statue of the Archangel of Mont Saint-Michel back in place
