Is the O.C.S.O. shrinking or growing?
Numerically and paradoxically, the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance is both expanding and decreasing at the same time. The number of monasteries throughout the world has more than doubled over the past 60 years: from 82 in 1940 to 127 in 1970, and 169 at the begin of the 21st century. In 1940 there was only one Trappist monastery in Africa and none in Latin America. Now there are 17 in Africa and 13 in Central and South America. In Asia and the Pacific there were 6 houses, now there are 23. In general, the communities in Asia, Africa and Latin America are growing faster than the ones in other parts of the world. During these same 60 years, the total number of monks and nuns in the Order has decreased by about 15%. There are now slightly more than 2500 Trappist monks and 1800 Trappistine nuns worldwide, which makes an average of 25 members in each community, less than half as many as in former times. For more details on the different monasteries, see the section, Monasteries an
