Listen to the echoes of devotion that linger around the Mosteiro de Santa Escolástica. This modern building houses a religious community of Benedictine nuns. They dedicate their lives to prayer and contemplation. But did you know they also create delicious sweets?
The Mosteiro de Santa Escolástica sits a mere 200 meters from the Romanesque Church of S. Pedro de Roriz. Its architecture is a classic example of early twentieth-century design. Construction of the Mosteiro de Santa Escolástica began in 1935. Its layout is a simple yet elegant quadrangle. Sadly, the building was never fully completed. The last work on it occurred in the 1950s.
Officially, these nuns are known as the Benedictine Monjas da Rainha dos Apóstolos. Currently, only 19 sisters reside at the Mosteiro de Santa Escolástica. Many have passed away in recent years. The community has roots stretching back to 1921. It began in the Abbey of Betânia in Loppem-Bruges, Belgium.
In 1937, five nuns arrived in Portugal from Betânia. Three of them were Portuguese. They initiated the construction of the present Mosteiro de Santa Escolástica. Both the monastery and the congregation are relatively young. But they are integrated into 15 centuries of Benedictine monastic life.
The small community initially settled in nearby Quintãs. They chose a location and planned the future monastery. Just over a year later on February 11, 1937, the first stone was blessed. Architect Raul Lino aimed to give the building a monastic feel. He also wanted it to reflect a deeply Portuguese character.
By March 5, 1939, the community numbered 14 sisters. They solemnly entered a monastery still under construction. It was minimally habitable, with open-air cooking. Nearly 80 years after its founding, the community consists of 18 sisters. The Mosteiro de Santa Escolástica also oversees a small house in Huambo, Angola.
The Mosteiro de Santa Escolástica stands near the Ave Valley. It sits north of the Diocese of Porto. It is nestled between the Abbey of S. Bento de Singeverga and the ancient Monastery of Roriz. The surrounding landscape offers indescribable beauty.
The Benedictine nuns’ mission is to bear witness to monastic life. They follow the Rule of St. Benedict. They are fraternally united under a Rule and an Abbot. Their lives include continuous prayer and work. This happens in silence and incessant praise. The nuns center everything on the liturgy and Sacred Scripture. The Eucharist nourishes them through Divine Office, Lectio Divina, personal prayer, and work. The communities also have a specific mission. They respond to churches wishing to embrace monastic life. They aim to develop it from a local perspective.
The monastery produces items to support itself. These include farm goods like produce from the garden, orchard, and vineyard. They also make crafts such as cookies, jams, and rosaries. St. Benedict said that true monks live by the work of their hands.
Like all monasteries, the Mosteiro de Santa Escolástica welcomes guests and pilgrims. They offer a monastic guesthouse. It is open to those interested in sharing their life of prayer and work. Guest sisters ensure nothing is lacking in the House of God. The monastery welcomes guests as if they were Christ. The Mosteiro de Santa Escolástica also receives groups for retreats.
The Carismatic Prayer Group ORA ET LABORA operates on the monastery grounds. One sister belongs to the Vincentians of S. Vicente de Paulo. This ensures the poor are not forgotten. Several sisters collaborated in parish catechesis and catechist formation.
The Mosteiro de Santa Escolástica has provided assistance to the population of Roriz for over 60 years. Today, this service operates at the monastery entrance. So here at the Mosteiro de Santa Escolástica, you witness a blend of faith, work, and hospitality. It’s a place where the ancient rhythms of monastic life resonate.