São Bento Monastery Picture 7

More information on São Bento Monastery in São Paulo Photo by: Patsy Melendi

The Monastery of Sao Paulo is guaranteed for those visiting the state capital. It's one of those sacred tips which also applies to people who are not religious.

The Benedictines arrived in Sao Paulo in 1598, but was created only in 1634 the Abbey and the chapel was dedicated to St. Benedict. The site, which hosted Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Brazil, is today, besides the church (Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption), the monastery with about 40 cloistered monks who follow the tradition of ora et labora ("pray and works "), plus, in the case of monks in São Paulo, the et legere (" to read "), especially the Holy Scriptures.

How was the desire of St. Benedict, the monks had to find her living in the monastery, so to avoid leaving monastery cloisters. Therefore, their activities are normally carried out on site. The Abbey of St. Paul, among other internal and chaplaincy, is concerned with teaching at the college - in 2003 completed one hundred years - and the College of St. Benedict, who opened the first degree in philosophy in Latin America.

The establishment also has a theater, in which are held musical concerts and events in general. Since the college offers courses and workshops in some of the week (see schedule on website). However, there are two great attractions of the monastery, the visitor can not fail to provide the masses with Gregorian chants accompanied by the sound of a great organ - an everyday occurrence, but happens more traditional Mass on Sundays at 10am. This spectacle, admired by people of different religions, fills the church, so anyone who wants to attend Mass sitting should arrive early.

The other major attraction is the shop, with bread, cakes, biscuits and jams made by monks, whose revenues are secular, long stored in the archives of the abbey. The way to prepare the delicacies are only passed to another monk not to lose quality with mass. Prices are a little more expensive than the bakeries, but the ingredients are fresh, sophisticated and top quality. Not to mention the exquisite packaging and much admired, a lovely gift for the tourist to take the family.

One of the most sought after St. Benedict is the bread made of cassava, which costs $ 12 and serves several people. Another excellent option is Benedictus, a gingerbread stuffed with strawberry jam, and Dominus, bread that has among its ingredients brown sugar, oats and olive oil. But honey and apricot jam, Bethlehem (with pistachio, walnuts, dates and apricot), Bolo Dom Bernardo (French recipe based on coffee, chocolate, cognac, nuts, peach and ginger), St. Scholastica Cake (recipe Swiss with walnuts and apple) and the Monks Cake (recipe of the nineteenth century based on canonical wine, apricot, plum and brown sugar) are also the joy of the regulars. All done by hand and with the stamp "Monastery of St. Benedict," a true testament to quality and taste. The shop also sells books, sacred images and the traditional medal of St. Benedict.

Monastery's architecture is typical of the seventeenth century. The current building was built in the period 1910 to 1922, inspired by the eclectic German tradition, and was designed by architect Richard Bernd. The interior decoration, frescoes and murals are by and implementing the Benedictine monk Dom Dutch Gresnicht Adelbert, who came to Brazil in 1913 for this work. Was a follower of the traditional Beuron School of Art, Prague (Czech capital).

External clock is a gem German mechanic. It was installed in 1921 and is considered the most accurate in São Paulo. The building also has a bell in tune, playing the full hour and fractions. The organ of the basilica, also German, is famous among experts. Four manual keyboards and pedals, 77 actual records and six thousand pipes.

Opposite the monastery is the traditional Café Girondion with juices, snacks and sweets in a different environment the envy of many charming cafes of European countries. It has menu of hot dishes for lunch and happy hour for the chop.

A little further on you can still bring your friends and Salve Jorge bar that serves an acclaimed feijoada on Saturdays. The environment is a friendly, chaotic and fascinating contemporary pub, inspired by the name of the bar that pays homage to the various "Jorge" Brazilian and world culture, as the writer Jorge Amado, singers Jorge Ben, Seu Jorge, Jorge Aragão, Jorge and Vercilo George Michael, director Jorge Fernando, Jorge Kajuru journalist, filmmaker George Lucas and actor George Clooney, among others.

All this without mentioning that the monastery is one block away from the street on March 25, the most famous popular shopping center in the country and one of 59 streets in the city. It is also close to other sights such as the College Pateo, Sé Cathedral, the Mercado Municipal, Largo São Francisco, the Bovespa, Banespão (Ed. Altino Arantes), Martinelli Building, Valley Anhangabaú and viaducts Tea and Santa Iphigenia.

The site is easily accessible, as in front of the Monastery became the São Bento subway station.

Service:
Monastery of St. Benedict
Largo de São Bento, s / n - Centro
Tel: (11) 3328-8799
Site: www.mosteiro.org.br
Hours:
Basilica: Monday to Friday (except Thursday), from 6 to 19h. Saturday and Sunday from 6am to 12pm and from 16h to 18h. Saturday, from 14h
Sacristy: Tuesday to Friday from 14h to 17h
Masses: Monday-Friday, 7am (Gregorian chant), 13h and 18h ​​(body only). Saturday, at 6 (Gregorian chant). Sunday, 8:30 am (body only) and 10h (Gregorian chant and organ)
Vespers: Monday to Friday at 17:25 (Gregorian chant). Sunday at 16h55h (Gregorian chant and organ)
Monastery shop: Monday to Friday from 7h to 18h. Saturday from 7:30 am to 12pm. Sunday, after 10am Mass

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