Trappists

Trappists, members of the clan of the Reformed, or Strict, Observance, a Roman Catholic monastic order founded (1664) by Armand de Rancé, abbot of La Trappe in Normandy, France. He instituted a rigorous discipline of silence, prayer, and work. There are 12 U.S. abbeys. The abbot general lives in Rome.

See also: Cistercians.