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779AD The
original monastery, founded on an unknown date, is rebuilt by Abbot
Nimphibius. The new abbey is granted the protection of Charlemagne.
9th-11th century
The Abbey, known as Lagrasse or "the Fat One", is the most important in
Languedoc. Its temporal and spiritual power is considerable. Its
possessions extend from the Albigeois to Saragossa.
12th-13th
century In the politico-religious conflict generated by the
Cathar heresy, the abbots of Saint Mary’s play a conciliatory role. Thanks
to them, Béziers and Carcassonne make peace with the King and the Church,
earning the gratitude of Saint Louis.
13th-15th century The
excess of wealth then the One Hundred Years War leads to disorder and the
decline of the abbey. The first spiritual reform is introduced in the 13th
century and the current abbey church, as well as the fortifications, are
built in the 14th century. Auger de Cogenx is the most famous of the
reforming abbots and builders.
16th century The first
commendatory abbot, Philippe de Lévis, Bishop of Mirepoix, undertakes the
construction of a large bell-tower, sadly unfinished at his death in
1537.
17th century
Religious life flourishes once again with the introduction to Lagrasse of
the reform of Saint-Maur in 1663.
18th century The bishop of
Carcassonne, Armand Bazin de Bezons, becomes Abbot of Lagrasse. At his
prompting, the monastic monuments are renovated and enriched by a main
courtyard, a conventual building and a traditional cloister in a beautiful
rose ochre sandstone. As a result, Lagrasse is today one of the few abbeys
of the area which can boast a harmonious juxtaposition of mediaeval and
traditional styles.
1792 Following the French Revolution in 1789, and despite
the opposition of the people of Lagrasse, the State seizes the buildings
and the monks are driven out. The poor, who have traditionally depended on
the charity of the monks, are the main losers. The building is ruined,
looted and sold.
MODERN
TIMES
1894 The Congregation of the Daughters of Our
Lady of the Seven Sorrows takes over most of the abbey and opens an
orphanage and an old people's home. The orphanage of the Social Work of
the Military Medal Holders occupies the other part of the
building.
1979 The
Theophany Community buys the larger part of the abbey. Lagrasse town hall
acquires the smaller part in 1981.
1995 Two Germans
move into the main part of the abbey.
2004 A young
community steeped in Catholic tradition, the Canons Regular of the Mother
of God, buy the buildings with the paternal support of Mgr Jacques
Despierre, then Bishop of Carcassonne. The faithful and tourists
rediscover a living abbey.
2006 Fr Emmanuel-Marie de Saint-Jean
is elected to succeed Abbot Wladimir-Marie and becomes the 66th Abbot of Lagrasse. |
