The Little-Known Story of French Benedictine Monks Who Sing Gregorian Chant & Harvest Apples for a Living

Have you heard of the Benedictine monks at the Abbey of St. Anne Kergonan in France?

Let’s look at this religious community hidden in the Morbihan region of France that was founded in 1897.

Twenty-two Benedictine monks in the community live according to the rule of Saint Benedict, "Ora et labora," or "pray and work."

(This community is not to be confused with the sisters of Saint-Michel de Kergonan located about three miles away!)

The French Benedictine Abbey's Difficult Beginnings

In 1897, 10 monks left Solesmes Abbey for Kergonan in Brittany. Barely 20 years later in 1914, the Kergonan estate was established as an abbey. What a success! 

Very quickly, the monks experienced many difficulties and had to go into exile twice: once in Belgium from 1901 to 1920, because of the anti-clerical laws, and a second time at the Charterhouse of Auray between 1942 and 1946, due to the German occupation.

Fortunately, the story does not end there for the abbey and its community!

After the exile, community life resumed at the Abbey of St. Anne Kergonan. It was not until 1968 that the construction of the abbey church began. It was consecrated seven years later by Bishop Pierre-Auguste Boussard (1917-1997), the Bishop of Vannes, France.

A Religious Community of Singers

Today, 22 monks live at the Abbey of St. Anne Kergonan and spend five hours a day in the church for their services--the first being at 5:00 in the morning!

Moreover, they sing very well. Indeed, their voices have been recorded several times on CDs. You can find these recordings of Gregorian chants on the abbey's website.

The monks had a traditional organ to accompany their voices, which did not allow them to sing the entire Gregorian repertoire. So, in 2016, Sainte-Anne de Kergonan Abbey bought a new organ. This will preserve and update masterpieces of musical and spiritual heritage!

The monks also live just a few steps from the ocean. Gregorian chant therefore keeps with the monastery's motto, "Super voces aquarum multarum," which means, "More than the voice of the great waters."

Apples in all its variations

For four years, the community has made products from their 850 apple trees.

First, they harvest and sort the apples. Then, the monks process some of them into 100 percent pure apple juice. The remaining apples are sent to a supported employment workplace located just a few miles away.

There, employees with disabilities make jams, cider jellies, and apple compotes. Of course, they follow recipes developed by the monks themselves. Thus, the abbey can offer a wide variety of monastic crafts!

Where to Find the French Benedictine Abbey's Products

Visit the abbey directly at this address:

Abbey of St. Anne Kergonan, Sainte-Anne de Kergonan,
1 Rue de l'Abbaye Ste Anne,
56340 Plouharnel, France

If France is too far away, you can discover Sainte-Anne de Kergonan’s products directly on Divine Box's online monastic shop.