Monastery of Santa Maria Rawaseneng, Trappist monastery in Temanggung, Indonesia
The Monastery of Santa Maria Rawaseneng is a Trappist complex in Ngemplak village, Kandangan, Temanggung Regency, Central Java. Its buildings include a church, prayer garden, retreat house, coffee plantation and dairy farm with processing facilities. The monastery stands east of the Fatima Kindergarten and Elementary School, on hilly terrain at 500–825 metres on the slopes of Mount Sindoro and Mount Sumbing.
The monastery was founded in 1953 as a branch of a Dutch monastery, bringing monastic traditions to Indonesia. This founding connected European religious practices with the local landscape of Java.
The monks follow the Rule of St. Benedict under the Cistercians of the Strict Observance, dividing each day between prayer, sacred reading and manual work in the coffee plantation, dairy and bakery. Their produce supports the community, so they take no donations from the faithful. The monastery is the first Trappist house in Indonesia, founded from Koningshoeven in Tilburg; its daughter houses include Gedono and Lamanabi.
The monastery has a small shop where visitors can buy products made by the monks, including coffee, cheese, and baked goods. It is best to visit during quieter times of day to avoid disturbing the monks' daily routines.
The monastery grows its own coffee on surrounding plantations and operates financially independent without needing external donations. This self-sustaining approach through farming is uncommon and reflects a practical model of monastic living.
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