Short answer:
The Order of Cistercians (OCist; Latin: Cistercienses), sometimes called the White Monks (from the colour of the habit, over which a black scapular or apron is sometimes worn) is a Roman Catholic religious order of enclosed monks. The first Cistercian abbey was founded by Robert of Molesme in 1098, at Cîteaux Abbey near Dijon, France.
Benedictine monks were called black monks because of the color of their traditional black robes or habits. The term "black monks" was used to distinguish them from the Cistercian monks, who wore white robes and were known as the "white monks."
The monks who traditionally look after travelers are often referred to as "hospitality monks." These monks are typically found in monastic communities, particularly in the Benedictine and Cistercian orders, and they provide shelter, food, and spiritual guidance to pilgrims and travelers. Their role emphasizes hospitality and service, reflecting the monastic values of compassion and community support.
As far as Catholic monks are concerned, according to the Rule of most monasteries they are not to travel at all. However, Benedictine monks often travel for school, to visit family, to minister at outlying parishes, etc. A Cistercian of the Strict Observance would probably only travel to go to the hospital.
Cistercian Monks follow the Rule of St. Benedict. The three main components of the day are prayer, lectio divina (prayerful reading of scripture). and manual labour. Most Cistercian monasteries have farms, but there is also work like pottery, binding books, and running the guest house, or schools. One monastery in Wisconsin, USA recycles toner cartridges. Cistercian Monasteries can be found all over the world.
The monks of Bolton Abbey, part of the Cistercian order, were known for their disciplined and austere lifestyle, focusing on prayer, work, and community living. They engaged in agricultural practices, contributing to the surrounding economy, and emphasized a strong commitment to spiritual devotion and self-sufficiency. Their behavior reflected the Cistercian values of simplicity, humility, and a deep connection to nature, often engaging in the cultivation of the land and the production of goods such as textiles and ale.
a monastery is where monks live and work.
Cistercian Preparatory School was created in 1962.
Some universal facts are that monks are not married currently ( no girlfriend or boyfriend ) and that they are spending their time to serve the God - praying, studying scriptures, preaching, trying to control their senses.
Cistercian monks lacked the material to make early parchment paper primarily due to their strict adherence to a monastic lifestyle that emphasized simplicity and austerity. They often operated in remote locations where access to the necessary resources, such as animal skins for parchment, was limited. Additionally, their focus on agricultural and spiritual pursuits meant that they prioritized their labor on farming and prayer rather than on producing writing materials. Consequently, this led to a scarcity of parchment for their written works.
Monks have lived at Plas Cadnant Abbey, located in Anglesey, Wales, since its founding in the early 12th century. It was established as a Cistercian monastery, and the monks inhabited the site until the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century under King Henry VIII. After this period, the abbey fell into ruin and was largely abandoned. Today, the site is a historical landmark, reflecting its monastic heritage.
It has not come to an end and there are still Cistercian monks today. In England all the monasteries occupied by Benedictines, Cistercians, Cluniacs, Carthusians and others were closed in the period 1538 to 1540 and all monks were either pensioned off or found alternative employment. Naturally, the Order continued to flourish in the rest of Europe. In more recent times the Cistercians (and other Orders of monks and nuns) have returned to the UK to establish themselves again; a thriving community of Cistercians currently exists at Caldey Abbey in Wales, following a regime based closely on that followed by their medieval colleagues. See link below for details of the Caldey Abbey Cistercians:
Cistercian monks significantly contributed to European society through their advancements in agriculture, developing innovative farming techniques and promoting the use of crop rotation and livestock breeding. They established monasteries that became centers of learning and craftsmanship, thus fostering education and the production of goods. Additionally, their emphasis on communal living and self-sufficiency helped to stabilize local economies and provided social services to surrounding communities. Overall, their influence extended beyond spiritual life, positively impacting economic and cultural development in medieval Europe.