by Abbot Albert Schmidt OSB
Abbot President Emeritus
Beuronese Congregation

In 2002, Abbot Gérard Calvet of Le Barroux founded the monastery of Sainte-Marie de la Garde, also located in southwest France. In 2021, the priory was elevated to an abbey, and Father Marc Guillot was elected its first abbot. The community currently consists of 18 monks, including eight brothers, one triennial professed, and one novice; two postulants joined in 2024. The average age is comparatively low.

The monks pray the entire Office according to the 1963 Monastic Breviary; Matins begins at 3:30 a.m. The conventual Mass in the middle of the morning follows the Missal of 1962; at the Chrism Mass and on important diocesan occasions, the Abbot concelebrates in the Roman Rite.Approximately 40 hectares of arable land, where fruit and vegetables for the home's consumption, as well as walnuts, are grown, serve as a source of income. There is also a small guesthouse for days of quiet and contemplation, as well as a house for families and groups. There is also a sandal workshop, a bakery, and a shop.

The community is integrated into the church structures and into the associations of monastic monasteries and religious orders in France, along with their associated working groups. The studies for priestly ordination are completed in-house and supplemented by external instructors. Work on the construction of a cloister and additional cells for the monks has been underway since May 2023.

Abbot Marc Guillot presented the community's desire to be admitted to the Benedictine Confederation to the Congress of Abbots. Fr. Philippe Dupont, Abbot emeritus of Saint Peter’s Abbey in Solesmes, France, and  Dom David d’Hamonville, Abbot emeritus of Saint Benedict of En-Calcat, visited the monastery in advance of the congress and on behalf of Abbot Primate Gregory Polan. Abbot President Geoffroy of Solesmes read their favorable report. The Congress of Abbots approved the request and admitted the Abbey of Sainte-Marie de la Garde to the Confederation.

This brings the number of monasteries that do not belong to a congregation and are directly subordinate to the Abbot Primate to six. The other five monasteries are:

• Le Bouveret Abbey (Switzerland, Diocese of Sion): founded in 1928, moved to its current location in 1956 and elevated to the status of abbey;
• Chevetogne Abbey (Belgium, Diocese of Namur): founded in 1926, since 1939 in Chevetogne, 1990 Abbey;
• Weston (USA, Vermont): Founded in 1952 by the Dormition Abbey / Jerusalem; since 1968 conventual priory under the jurisdiction of the Abbot Primate;
• Le Barroux (France, Diocese of Avignon): founded in 1970, abbey since 1989; and
• Norcia (Italy, Diocese of Spoleto-Norcia): founded in 1998, sui juris since 2018, since 2024 Abbey.