Abbaye Saint-Benoît de Koubri, Koubri, Kadiogo Province, Burkina Faso, is a Benedictine monastery of the Subiaco Congregation. Founded in 1961, the monastery is located around 30 km from Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. As of 2000, the monastery was home to 27 monks, under the leadership of Abbot Fr André Ouédraogo.
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Abbey of St Benedict; Koubri Abbey |
| Order | Subiaco Congregation, Order of Saint Benedict |
| Established | 1961 |
| Dedicated to | Benedict of Nursia |
| Diocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ouagadougou |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Monastery of Toumliline |
| Abbot | André Ouédraogo |
| Prior | Michel Kaboré |
| Site | |
| Location | Koubri Department, Kadiogo Province, Burkina Faso |
History
editLike Monastère Bénédictin Sainte-Marie, Abbaye Saint-Benoît de Koubri was founded by monks from the priory of Toumliline, Morocco, upon request of local participants to one of the International Meetings hosted in Toumliline.[1] Established in 1961, by 1975 the monastery had gained independent status. In 1985, the community elected its first ethnically African superior.
When a Benedictine monastery in Zagnanado, Benin, was closed in 1989, the monastic community at Koubri took in six of the young monks. After nine years of formation at the abbey, these monks returned to Hékanmè in Benin's Archdiocese of Coutonou to restart monastic life there.[2]
Apostolic Work
editIn the Benedictine spirit, the monks of Koubri attempt to maintain self-sufficiency by means of manual labor. At the monastery, such work takes place at fruit plantations (banana, mango, grapefruit), a chicken farm, a joiner's and welder's workshop, and on a dairy farm (reputed to be one of Burkina Faso's best).
The monks also administer a guest house and retreat facilities for visitors, and provide meeting-space for Catholic Action. The monastery strives to offer an environment of silence and prayer of which local Christians may take advantage.[3]
Dependencies
editIn 1998, the monks of Koubri established Mont Tabor de Hékanmè in Attogon, Benin. The monastery includes seven monks and remains dependent on the Abbaye Saint-Benoît de Koubri.
Personnel
editAs of 2000, the community at Koubri included 27 monks, five of whom were ordained priests. The monks of Abbaye Saint-Benoît de Koubri are under the leadership of Abbot André Ouédraogo. The abbot is assisted in his duties by the monastery's prior, Michel Kaboré.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Bicknell, Julia (9 November 2022). "'Spirit of Toumliline' Interfaith Inquiry Lives On 50 Years After Moroccan Monastery Closed". Religion Unplugged. Institute for Nonprofit News. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
- ^ Kominiak, OSB, P Benedict; et al. (2000). Loci Ubi Deus Quareritur. St Ottilien: EOS Verlag. p. 8. ISBN 3-8306-7007-9.
- ^ Kominiak, OSB; et al. (2000). Loci Ubi Deus Quareritur. p. 8.
- ^ Inscriptiones, Index Statisticus et Nomina Superiorum Monasteriorum Ordinis Sanctis Benedicti. St Ottilien: EOS Verlag. 1999. p. 13.