Abbey of Saint-Maurice et Saint-Maur de Clervaux (Clervaux)

 monastery, Order of Saint Benedict, Roman Catholic church

Benedictine Abbey, Congregation of Solesmes
The magnificent and impressive Neo-Romanesque structure of the Benedictine abbey of St Maurice is situated high above the town at the top of the woody and windy heights of Clervaux. The red tiles of the tower and roof of the abbey are beautifully contrasted with the green shades of the surrounding woods and can be admired as soon as the tourist enters the little town of Clervaux.

The abbey was built in 1909/1910. Its founders were the Benedictine monks of the French abbey of St Maur of Glanfeuil in the diocese of Angers. In 1901 the monks had been compelled to leave France due to the religiously antagonistic politics of the French Government of those days. After various temporary settlements in Belgium the monks finally settled in Clervaux, where they met with a hearty welcome both from the part of the population and from the Luxembourg Government.

The Benedictine monks who live here at the moment come from various countries. Together they constitute a spiritual community and family under the authority of the abbot. All of them lead a very secluded and retired life according to the rules established by Saint Benedict. They divide their time between personal and communal prayer and work. The main emphasis lies on the communal chorus prayers, on psalm and hymn singing and on the celebration of the divine service.

They also help with spiritual activities outside the monastery when needed for religious retreats, substitution in the diocese, pastoral care or dispensing of the sacraments. Some of the monks excel in intellectual and artistic activities. They also do manual work according to the needs of the monastery and charity institutions.