Double monastery

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A double monastery is an institution combining a separate monastery for monks and an abbey for nuns. Examples include Coldingham Monastery in Scotland. Whilst the monks and nuns lived in separate buildings they were usually united in the Abbess as head of the entire household and would have chanted the Divine Office and attended Mass together in the Chapel. The Abbot would normally have control over both houses and it was only in exceptional circumstances that each would have its own superior. The first double monastery was founded by Saint Brigid of Ireland, however currently, there are no Double Monasteries in the Latin tradition.

Less frequently, the term is used to describe one monastery based on two sites eg Monkwearmouth-Jarrow Priory.

[edit] References

• Double Monastery - Catholic Encyclopedia article