Lay Cistercians of Gethsemani Abbey

Thank you for visiting our website. We are Lay Cistercians of Gethsemani Abbey (LCG). We welcome you to spend time with the following information about our Cistercian lay associate program. We welcome any Christian adult who feels called to live a lay contemplative lifestyle in the spirit of the Rule of St. Benedict and the Cistercian tradition. We come in all sorts of sizes, ages, backgrounds and Christian denominations.

What is LCG?

Lay Cistercians of Gethsemani Abbey (LCG) is an association of ordinary Christian women and men who are called to contemplative living and prayer according to the Cistercian way. Lay Cistercians are committed to integrating Cistercian spiritual values and practices in their lives as laypersons.

LCG members seek to enrich their spiritual lives by adopting spiritual practices of a Cistercian tradition that are compatible with a non-monastic lifestyle. LCG is one of several international Cistercian lay associate programs that have emerged in recent years. LCG has an informal relationship with the Cistercian Abbey of Gethsemani near Bardstown, Kentucky.

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The Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky

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An annual LCG retreat at Gethsemani is available to members, as well as, one day gatherings at Gethsemani two or three times a year. An Advisory Committee was formed in 2000 and functions as a guiding body.

Fr. Michael Casagram, Brother Christian and Brother Frederick, monks of the Abbey of Gethsemani, serve LCG as spiritual advisors for ongoing formation.

Father Michael, OCSO

What are benefits of becoming a Lay Cistercian?

For those who share a sincere desire to embrace the Cistercian tradition as an integral part of their spiritual journey, becoming a member of the Lay Cistercians of Gethsemani Abbey offers many spiritual and supportive benefits. Some benefits include:

An opportunity to share community and to form spiritual friendships with others who are called to embrace Cistercian values and practices,
An opportunity for dialogue with members of the Cistercian monastic community of the Abbey of Gethsemani,
A two-year period of formation with specific guidelines and a supportive relationship with a mentor who is experience in the Lay Cistercian way of life,
An opportunity to attend an annual LCG retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemani and additional gatherings at the Abbey where presentations are given on topics of Cistercian spirituality and Lay Cistercian life, and
An access to additional resources for Cistercian, monastic, and contemplative spirituality.

An 11th century Pope affirmed:
The Oblate's profession (Lay Cistercians) deserves nothing but praise, and it is worthy to endure, being as it is a reproduction of the primitive state of the Church. We therefore approve of it and confirm it and style it a Holy and Catholic institution.

Contributed by Jane Endriss, national coordinator of the Lay Cistercians of Gethsemani Abbey