Dear visitors and customers,

To counter the spread of the Covid-19 virus, we have taken certain measures:

Guest house

The guest house is open, but we can only accommodate a very limited number of guests. That means up to ten at a time. Customers participate in all liturgies. Learn more about reservations.

OFFICES

Our liturgical offices are once again open to the public. Consider the following scheme:

Monday to Saturday (except August 15, 2020)

• Tierce and Eucharist

Accessible daily

• Sext
• None
• Vespers
• Compline

Security measures during the offices

• Wearing a mask is compulsory.
• No songbook is available.
• If there are too many people, we reserve the right to refuse access to the latest arrivals.

CONFESSION

The sacrament of confession can be received again on Saturdays. For this, go to the porter doorman of the abbey.

• prayer services are no longer accessible until further notice;
• The sacrament of confession cannot be received at this time;

STORES

Our cheese is still for sale in the abbey shop. The brewery shop opens weekly on Fridays only. The opening hours of both shops can be found on the contact page. Wearing a mask is compulsory.

Westmalle Abbey belongs to the community of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance. There are close links between Cistercian communities. The Christian teaching of loving thy neighbour is at the heart of their lives, and houses support each other in this spirit. The ideal is solidarity with humankind.

The Trappists of Westmalle lead quiet, secluded lives of work, rest and contemplation within the abbey. Nevertheless, they do not isolate themselves from people or from the concerns and needs of people. They divide their time between prayer, contemplation and labour following a strict daily roster.

“Listen carefully, my child,to your master's precepts, and incline the ear of your heart.” is the opening line of Saint Benedicts Rule. Those who want to become a monk follow the voice of their heart.

A community of Trappist monks has been living at Westmalle Abbey since the 18th century. Their lives are governed by prayer and labour.

Discover our three Trappist beers: Extra, Dubbel and Tripel. Quality beers brewed only with the purest ingredients.

The monks of Westmalle brew beer to fund the costs of their life in the abbey, where a modern brewery is at their disposal.

In the abbey’s cheese dairy the monks make their own Trappist cheeses. These are served at the monks’ table and can also be purchased at the abbey gate and from cheese shops and butchers.