Priory of Our Lady of Bethany, Loppem

History

During the First World War, the buildings of Saint Andries Abbey were used as a war hospital. Several nurses working there felt a calling to join the Benedictine order. The abbot of Saint Andries Abbey, Theodoor Nève, had been planning a female branch of the abbey to expand their missionary work, and the former nurses became the first nuns of what was called 'small Bethany' in 1921. Over the course of the next several decades, the priory went through four phases of expansion and was finally completed in 1957. A big change took place in 1969, when the liturgy was changed from Latin to Dutch. Since half of the nuns were French-speaking, and could not adapt, they moved to other abbeys in Belgium, where French remains spoken.

Neve was motivated to found the nunnery at this time because there was a ‘vocation explosion’ of Benedictine missionary work throughout the world. Girls from all over Europe came to work in new priories in the Congo, Portugal, Brazil, Israel, Angola, and Chad, among others. The greatest challenge for Benedictine nuns is to strike a balance between the twin calling to lead a monastic life and to perform mission work in unknown countries.

Grounds & Gardens

The landscape surrounding Bethany is beautiful and the historic city of Bruges, located nine kilometers away, is also worth visiting.

Other facilities

The nuns hold prayer services five times a day in the stylish house chapel, which guests are welcome to attend. In addition, Bethany Priory offers private retreat programs on a regular basis. Visitors to the area should also make time to explore the nearby Saint Andries Abbey, known for its churches with seven different styles of architecture. The sisters make use of modern technology to reach out into the world to show their way of life. They have a YouTube channel and a blog, links are provided in the contact information.