Wrentham
Location
Official Name Mount St. Mary's Abbey
N° 27
Country USA
City Wrentham
Address 300 Arnold Street
Postcode MA 02093-1799
Contact Information
Telephone [1] (508) 528-1282
Community Email [email protected]
Website www.msmabbey.org
Business Website www.trappistinecandy.com
Superior Mother Sofia Millican, Abbess 2019-2025
Other Information
Juridical Status Abbey
Diocese Archidioecesis Bostoniensis (Boston)
OCSO Region USA
Founded/Restored 1949
Origins
Founded by Glencairn in 1949; erected an abbey in 1950.
History
1949: On 1 October 14 nuns from Ireland arrive, to make the first foundation of Cistercian nuns in the United States. 21 November, ceremony to establish monastic enclosure, by the archbishop of Boston, Richard J. Cushing. 8 December: first perpetual profession: M. M. Michael Howe.
1950, 15 May: death of the mistress of novices, M. M. St. John. 10 November: change of stability from Glencairn to Mt. St. Mary’s, Wrentham. 13 November: election of R.M. Mary Bernard O’Donnell as the first abbess of Mount Saint Mary’s.
1955 the founders return to Glencairn.
1960 general chapter: a foundation is authorized for Argentina; it was never realized.
Foundations
Mississippi (1964), Santa Rita (1972), Crozet (1987)
Father Immediate
Spencer
Lay Associates
Cistercian Friends of Mt. St. Mary’s Abbey
Past Superiors
Bernard O’DONNELL — Superior — 01/10/1949 – 13/11/1950
Bernard O’DONNELL — Abbess — 13/11/1950 – 06/05/1952
Angela NORTON — Abbess — 03/09/1952 – 14/01/1986
Agnes DAY — Abbess — 21/03/1986 – 05/05/2008
Maureen McCABE— Abbess — 2008 – 2019
Work and Sources of Income
Trappistine Quality Candy; small farm (raising of heifers)
Guest Facilities
Abbey Retreat house : 3 rooms (4 persons) ; small apartment; McMahon Retreat House: 9 rooms (12 persons), dining room, meeting room
Transportation
Station : Providence, Rhode Island. Airport : Providence or Boston.
