A haven of tranquility amidst city chaos. That’s the Abadía San Benito. It stands majestically. Its history whispers tales of monks and moves. Founded in 1914 by the Abadía of Santo Domingo de Silos in Spain. It was initially located in Buenos Aires.
But hold on to your hats. The Abadía San Benito wasn’t always here. The monastery moved to Jáuregui in 1973. Jáuregui is near Luján. Monks dedicate their lives to prayer work and study there.
San Benito is also a brand. Benedictine monks of Luján make and sell products. The Abadía is a Benedictine monastery. It sits a few kilometers from Luján. It belongs to the Congregation of the Holy Cross of the Southern Cone. This includes monasteries in Argentina Chile Paraguay and Uruguay.
Let’s step back to 1942. The first shop opened. It sold San Benito medals. There were also leaflets. These explained the meaning of the San Benito cross. Monks provided spiritual and liturgical reflections.
Fast forward to the 1980s. Monks began crafting artisanal products. They made marmalades and sweets at their monastery. These products are still sold today.
Space became an issue. The shop needed more room. So they remodeled it. The goal was to better serve everyone’s needs.
The Abadía de San Benito in Luján is more than bricks. It’s a spiritual center. The community publishes Coloquio. It is a trimestral review. Philosophical and theological studies continue at the abbey.
In its early days in Buenos Aires the community’s work included catechetics. They promoted Gregorian Chant. They published spiritual and liturgical literature. This included sacramentaries missals and the reviews Pax and Revista Liturgica Argentina. Before the Second Vatican Council the monks focused on renewing Christian life and culture.
The monastery became independent in 1938. It gained the status of a conventual priory. In 1950 it became an abbey. Dom Andrés Azcárate became the first abbot. He promoted liturgical reform and Benedictine spirituality.
After the Second Vatican Council the monastic community shrank. They consolidated efforts. The monks abandoned many activities. They moved the monastery to Luján in 1987.
Today the monks support themselves through agriculture. They produce marmalade. As of 2000 there were 13 monks in the community. Five were ordained priests.
The Abadía’s story spans continents. It bridges centuries. It’s a testament to faith resilience and adaptation. As you stand before the Abadía San Benito remember its journey. It began in Spain. It flourished in Buenos Aires. It continues to thrive near Luján. It is a beacon of Benedictine tradition in Argentina.