Perhaps you haven’t heard about the Trappistine Nuns in Mt. Matutum. They are a group of nuns who have chosen to live a life of frugality, simplicity and austerity, in a climate of silence and contemplation, away from city life. Thus, the Trappistines found their way to a beautiful cone-shaped volcano, Mt. Matutum, in South Cotabato, to build their first monastery in the Philippines.

The nuns have been supporting themselves through a small cookie industry and producing and selling religious materials and greeting cards.

If you want to know more about them, write to Sr Anna De Simoni at Trappisitine Monastery, Landan, Polomolok, 9504 South Cotabato, Philippines. Tel/Fax: 083-225-6600; Cell No: 0919-7812077

“Actually, what matters about the monastery is precisely that it is radically different from the world. The apparent ‘pointlessness’ of the monastery in the eyes of the world is exactly what gives it a real reason for existing. In a world of noise, confusion and conflict it is necessary that there be a place of silence, inner discipline and peace…”

-Thomas Merton