The name Trappists is derived from the French monastery of La Trappe, where Jean Armand de Rancé (1626-1700) carried out a reform of the Cistercian Order, which was joined by many other monasteries that later united in the Order of Cistercians of the Stricter Observance (OCSO). The Trappists do not accept the works of the apostolate and their main "activity" is prayer. The Order is spread over all continents and currently has 102 male and 76 female monasteries.
The impetus for the Trappists' arrival in the Czech Republic was the invitation of the former Archbishop of Prague, Miloslav Vlk. The Trappist order usually builds monasteries in places remote from civilisation. An essential part of the life of its sisters is also manual, often agricultural, work. It is therefore important for them to be able to work the fields and orchards around the monastery. The landscape around Poličany fulfilled all these conditions and added something extra - its beauty and picturesqueness.
In the monastery you will find a corner for spiritual rest and contemplation. You can take part in the liturgy of the nuns in the monastery church or use the services of the local guest house.
Life in a Trappist monastery has a certain order. The sisters rise at 3:40 and begin liturgical prayer at 4:00. Morning prayer is followed by time for meditation on the Scriptures or other spiritual books. Between 5:30 and 7:15 it is possible to go to breakfast. At 7:15 a.m., there is a morning prayer of praise followed by Mass, which is the most important moment of the day. After this, the sisters go to the Chapter to hear an excerpt from the Rule and the words of the Prioress. At 9:00 a.m., the Tertiary Prayer follows. All liturgical prayers are sung, either in Czech or in Latin (Gregorian chant). After the Prayer of the Tertium, the sisters go to work. Some write (paint) icons according to traditional techniques and using real gold, make cards and various greeting cards, bake cookies and other food products, tend the orchard, care for the flower beds of hyssop, lavender and echinacea, and make honey. The morning work is followed by a sexta prayer at 12:15. After lunch, the sisters have a free hour, during which some walk in the surrounding meadows and woods, others read in the Garden of Eden or meet with the prioress. At 2:15 p.m., they meet in the church for the liturgical prayer of the nuns and then return to work or study. Vespers and a half hour of silent prayer in the church follow at 5:15 pm, followed by the prayer of the completer at 7:15 pm. The day concludes with the singing of the Salve Regina before the large statue of the Virgin Mary placed in the presbytery, as is the case in all Cistercian churches.
The monastery has a small shop with products of the Poličany monastery and monastic products of other monasteries from Bohemia, Italy and France. Taste their biscuits, jams, chocolates, candies or herbal teas.
An integral part of every Trappist monastery is the guest house, which is open to all those who wish to spend a few days in peace and quiet and thus regain new strength for everyday life.