In a picturesque ceremony against a snowy backdrop, Norway's sole male contemplative community of the Cistercian Trappist order consecrated its recently constructed church in the heart of the Trondheim Fjord. The four monks, hailing from the Abbey of Citeaux in France, chose the desolate central Norwegian region of Munkeby in 2009, drawn by its 12th-century Cistercian ruins steeped in Christian history.

Father Joël, the head of the monastery, shared the journey, stating, "Until last Easter, we lived in a house with a small chapel. After a while, we had to think about something bigger for the future. So we began construction of the monastery and church in 2021." The new place of worship, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and adorned with relics of martyrs and saints of the Cistercian order, accommodates around 40 people and was consecrated on December 5, with Bishop Erik Varden officiating the traditional rite.

The community received support from various contributors, with a Lutheran woman crafting the intricate altar cloth, a monastery neighbor forging candelabras, and prisoners from southern Norway creating the consecration crosses. Situated on a two-hectare plot in the midst of fields, the monastery's opening was attended by 80 individuals, marking a significant event in the region.

The four Trappists at Munkeby—Father Joseph, Father Joël, Brother Bruno, and Brother Arnaud—embrace a secluded monastic life following the Rule of St. Benedict. Operating a six-room guesthouse, the monks offer solitude and retreat experiences to guests. Father Joël highlighted their discreet approach, saying, "Norwegians are very reserved people, so we cannot arrive here as conquerors to convert them, and that’s not our style."

The monks, living by the "Ora et Labora" motto, pray seven times a day and engage in manual labor, producing cheese from locally sourced milk. This integration into the economic life of the region reflects the presence of God in a hyper-secularized society. Despite the Catholic Church being a minority in Norway, the monks play a vital role in providing an easily accessible oasis for prayer and reflection.

Father Joël expressed the monks' desire for vocations, acknowledging the challenges in today's society, "There are a certain number of young people over the age of 20 who are walking the path, and that’s very beautiful... but today there’s a lot of resistance. Society, the environment, don’t favor a call to monastic life; we must be very strong to fight against this resistance." In the summer, the monastery becomes a stopping point for pilgrims on their way to the tomb of St. Olav in Trondheim, further emphasizing its significance in the Catholic community's growth in Norway.