Structure of the Order

 
D. Bernardo Olivera

Dom Bernardo Olivera, Abbot General

The Cistercian Order consists of 96 men's monasteries and 60 women's monasteries, located in nearly 50 countries throughout the world. The two most recent foundations have been in Indonesia (men) and in Madagascar (women). Altogether, the Order numbers approximately 2600 monks and 1800 nuns.

Once a community has been successfuly established it becomes autonomous; it is also linked in solidarity and charity to the other communities of the Cistercian Order. An established community or foundation also maintains a relationship of filiation with its founding monastery.

The structure of the Order is defined in number 4 of the Constitution as follows :

a) Throughout the world, the communities of the Order are gathered together in a unity that is based in charity. Through such a communion, they can assist each other to better understand and express their common inheritance. They can provide each other with mutual support and comfort when difficulties arise.

b) This communion is further expressed in legal form, through the Order's government, which is based on the Charter of Charity (...). Abbots and abbesses, assembled in two Chapters, exert a common solicitude over the human and spiritual affairs of all the communities of the Order. This pastoral charge is put into practice according to tradition, through the institutions of filiation, regular visitation and the General Chapter. Furthermore, several additional means of dialogue, cooperation and mutual support have been brought forth; these encourage the communion of the entire order and allow for an effective adaptation of our founders' intentions to present-day conditions.

Since 1990, the Abbot General is elected by  the Superiors of both monks and nuns. Elected for an indeterminate period of time, the Abbot General's role is defined in number 82,1 of the Constitution:

The Abbot General, as the unifying link in the Order, stimulates relations between communities, both of monks and nuns. He watches over the maintenance and development of the Order's patrimony. Above all, he is pastor and strives to kindle spiritual renewal in the communities. He visits monasteries as frequently as he judges necessary to acquire a sound understanding of the entire Order: thus providing fruitful assistance to each superior and each community.

The Abbot General is assisted in his work by a permanent council which resides with him in the Generalate, in Rome.