Congregation and order

Today, Cistercian monasteries can be found on several continents, including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas, each operating in a variety of economic and cultural environments. Some are located in mission territories, while the majority are found in areas that are historically and largely marked by the Christian tradition. Within our Order, the monks, including those from the so-called Eastern Churches such as Ethiopia and Eritrea, are very diverse in terms of language, mentality and education, reflecting regional particularities. This geographical, cultural, social and ecclesiological diversity makes our Order extremely complex, with each community having its own challenges and desires linked to its unique characteristics.