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Monastery Norbertinas Praemonstratensians of Santa Sofia

Monastery Norbertinas Praemonstratensians of Santa Sofia

The Communities of Praemonstratensian Canonesses from Toro and from Villoria de Orbigo (Leon) form a unique pair in Spain. First it was a double monastery of the Praemonstratensian Fathers of San Miguel de Grtox, following the custom of the Order in the middle ages. The location of the original Monastery, founded in 1162, at the time of Alfonso VIII, who donated to the Praemonstratensians of Alba of Tormes the mount of San Miguel and fields in the village of Pobladura de los Huertos which is 7 kilometres from the city of Toro. In 1304, five surviving Sisters of the double Monastery of San Miguel de Grox were transferred to the house of Santa Sofia in Pobladura de los Huertos, which was already owned by Praemonstratensians. The Fathers donated it to the Sisters on June 12 1304 together with the surrounding land. It was difficult for the Sisters to live there in those years, so they moved in the winter into the palace that they were given by Queen Dna, Maria of Molina, wife of King D. Sancho IV, on 20th September 1316. The palace of Maria de Molina was in good condition when the Praemonstratensian Sisters arrived, but needed to be remodeled to suit their conventual life. Juan XXII published a Bull in 1329, granting indulgences to those who helped with the work of the Convent. Queen Maria de Molina was considered to be the founder of the Monastery, so rooms were always prepared for her. The Abbey of San Miguel de Grox was disbanded in 1449, after being destroyed by the war in 1385. All the goods were passed to the Sisters of Santa Sofia. The General Chapter of 1460 recognized the rights of Santa Sofia. In 1507 the Sisters confirmed for the first time their membership as Praemonstratensians. At that time the Monastery of Toro founded Villoria de Orbigo. Between 1573 and 1594 the Circary of Spain broke all relations with Praemontre. After reforming, according to the suggested principles of the Order, the Circary was called "Hispanic Congregation of the Praemonstratensian Order". They no longer wanted to take care of the Monasteries of the Sisters and they saw themselves forced to go under the jurisdiction of the Bishops. Previously because the Order had not taken care of them, the female Monasteries of Freznillo, Brazacorton, Sordillos and others disappeared. During the 16th and 17th centuries, several Sisters of Toro lived in sanctity; Sisters Catherine Vazquez and Geronima Vela used such old habits, that for their funerals they had to use the habit of another Sister. Juana of Marina (1636) performed difficult forms of penance. Francisca of Ulloa was ordered by the Bishop to reform convents of other religious families. The brave Prioress, Ana de Monrroy, was sent to jail by the Bishop before she left the habit and statutes of the Order. Others like Juana Cuevas and Catherine of Grove died in sanctity. From 1739 to 1952 the Monastery had Abbesses again, although it was set on fire by anti-clericals in 1834. In the middle of the 19th century the community had an average of 18 Sisters and during this period relations with the Order settled again. Between 1836 and 1852 furniture and fittings and most of the files were confiscated; and so today they are without many of their historical documents.

Community life
Their life is based on oratio (Obligatory Prayer) and work. They pray on average 6 hours per day: Eucharist, liturgical personal oration and adoration. Every day they sing the complete Laudes, Eucharist and Vespers and on several days they include the Office of Reading and the intermediate hour of Sext. Every Sunday, on Holy Days and every Wednesday they have Adoration from 15.30 to 19.30. The church is open to all the faithful. On the first Thursday of every month, they have an additional hour of Adoration at night and since March 2008 they have daily adoration from 19:00 to 20:00. Throughout the year, one Sister is accompanying the Lord all day, each day a different Sister.
They have two recreations a day, one after lunch and another after supper. On Thursday evenings they have a longer recreation while working.
They continue to have gospel readings daily, except on Sunday.

Cloister
Previously they had a Papal cloister, but some years ago requested the Sagrada Congregation be changed to a Constitutional cloister, because they thought it better adapted to their canonical life and Praemonstratensian charisma. The community eventually received the approval for their own cloister which will is called a Constitutional Cloister instead of a Papal Cloister.

Their Work
The Community has a small tailoring workshop, where the Sisters work for a living. All the able sisters participate in all the community work by doing cooking, sacristy work, cleaning, washing up and cultivating the garden and orchard. Each sister has her own job; when finished she has to go to the community to work in the tailors.

Guest House
Their guest house is open to priests and religious persons who want to have a retreat and to take part with them in the Liturgy or just to simply rest. It is also open to young people who wish to get to know their way of life or need spiritual support.


Sisters in the garden

Sisters working at the sewing machine

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