Abbey Mary Refuge

In French politics, there existed a movement since the French Revolution that aimed to permanently abolish monastic life. This threat seemed poised to become a reality at the end of the 19th century. The abbot of the Northern French Trappist monastery Monts des Kats sent one of his monks abroad to find a refuge. Thus, in 1881, the Abbey of Koningshoeven was established in Tilburg. The abbey soon flourished, and it was quickly thought to establish more monasteries in the Netherlands as a refuge for monks threatened with expulsion. An opportunity to establish a new monastery arose when, in 1897, Miss Anna Catharina van Dongen from Zundert donated a parcel of land to the abbot of Koningshoeven. The then abbot of Koningshoeven, Dom Willibrord Verbruggen, decided to build a monastery on this parcel. Intended as a refuge for French monks, the new project was named 'Maria Toevlucht' (Mary's Refuge). In the autumn of 1899, three monks departed from Tilburg to Zundert. The tenant farmer of the small farm 'De Kieviet', Bart Nouws, provided temporary housing. Gradually, more brothers came from Koningshoeven to Zundert. Construction began on the first monastery, the building that is now the guest quarters. The current guest refectory was formerly the first chapel. On Ascension Day, May 24, 1900, the abbot of Tilburg consecrated this chapel, and with twelve monks, led by Father Nivardus Muis, Maria Toevlucht officially began to function as a monastery. On June 22, 1909, the brothers received word that they had to leave their monastery immediately. The abbot of Tilburg encountered such financial problems that serious consideration was given to selling all property, including that of Zundert, to pay off a mortgage debt. The brothers of Maria Toevlucht departed with horse and cart to Westmalle, where they were warmly received by Abbot Ferdinand and his community. Meanwhile, the higher superiors of the Order sought a solution. An additional incentive to look for a solution was that Mrs. Maria Ullens de Schooten offered a large sum of money to establish a church in Maria Toevlucht. However, this offer would not be valid if the monastery was to remain dissolved. Finally, an arrangement was made: Dom Willibrord of Koningshoeven resigned and was succeeded by Dom Simon Dubuisson. The brothers from Zundert were able to return to their monastery, thus preserving their foundation. Read more at www.abdijmariatoevlucht.nl/Pages/Abdij/AbdijGeschiedenis.html

Toineke