Maria Toevlucht Abbey, Zundert

History

From its founding in 1900, Trappist monks began with a wasteland and slowly built ‘Maria Toevlucht’. The impetus behind the abbey came from the monks of Koningshoeven Abbey in the town of Berkel Enschot, who wanted to create a new monastery on a parcel of land they had been given by a wealthy patroness. The name, 'Maria Toevlucht' (Maria’s Refuge), was chosen because the abbey became a place of refuge for French monks fleeing the anti-clerical laws in their homeland. The French monks, however, no longer grace the abbey’s halls, and Maria Toevlucht has reverted to a fully ‘Dutch’ abbey. Over the years, the monastery was enlarged, and in 1938, Maria Toevlucht was formally promoted to the status of an abbey. During the 1960s, a fresh wind of innovation swept through the abbey. The monks began singing in Dutch rather than Latin, and a room was dedicated for Zen meditation, among other changes.

Food & beverage

The meals are vegetarian and are eaten separately from the monks. Meal-time is silent, like all Trappist abbeys.

Grounds & Gardens

The surrounding area is lush and green, perfect for scenic day hikes. Not far from the abbey, you can find a cafe with patio, Rustpunt de Kieviet (The Lapwing Restpoint), where many cyclists and other passers-by stop to rest and enjoy the beauty of the area. The nearby cities, Breda and Roosendaal, are worth a visit.

Other facilities

In 2013, the abbey began brewing its own Trappist beer, Zundert Trappist, only the second Trappist beer produced in the Netherlands after Koningshoeven Abbey’s, la Trappe beer. It is for sale in the abbey shop at the abbey entrance and in some local supermarkets.

The abbey offers an annual program with various retreats, singing, and zen- and silent meditation activities. The schedule can be found on their website.