Bornem Abbey

Bornem Abbey is the only OCIST abbey of Common Observation in the Archdiocese of Malines-Brussels. The current Abbey is the successor of the former St. Bernard's Abbey, Hemiksem, destroyed in the French Revolution. Both are built in Honour of saint Bernard of Clairvaux.

The foundation was done by Don Pedro Coloma, Lord of Bornem who founded a convent of the Holy Cross. The current buildings date from the 18th to the 19th century. The abbey and the church are protected heritage. During the French Revolution the buildings were sold, at the same time monastic life of Hemiksem was destroyed. In the 19th century the abbey resurrected grace to the support of Cardinal Maurus Cappellari, the old monks of Hemiksem returned in Bornem. In 1835 Mgr. Corselis gave the new monastic community the same rights as the old Abbey of Hemiksem, amd the abbey resurrected. The first abbot, Robertus van Ommeren was ordained in Rome. The monastic life reflourished in succes and the abbey refounded Val-Dieu in 1844.

During the 1st world war the abbey becomes a strategic point in the defence of Klein-Brabant. In 1914 the abbey church tower is used as lookout, and a target of the German artillery. t the end of battle the tower stands as last major strategic point in Bornem.

The community is active in the local parish of Bornem and of great importance of local cultural life. The monks have an abbey beer, named Bornem. However at the end of the 20th century the number of Monks decreased drastic and today only two monks, including abbot van Schaverbeeck are living in the conventual buildings. In 2014 the abbey was bought by the city of Bornem. In 1998 a Monument for Don Pedro Coloma was erected in front of the main entrance.

The historical library contains 3 000 books that could be saved form the old library of Hemisksem Abbey.Dom Henri was between 1858 to 1865 Librarian and took care of the old collection. The abbey is still famous for it old collection of valuable books of Cistercienzer History: the fame got fame beyond the national borders. The current collection contains 30.000 books and manuscripts and other important valuable works form the 14th century.

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