Our Lady of Grace Monastery Foundation
The Our Lady of Grace Monastery Foundation is a Canadian registered charity (Business No. 818163891RR0001) established in January 2023 to preserve and manage the historic Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Monastery, Nova Scotia. The Foundation assumed ownership of the property after the Augustinian Contemplative Nuns, who had resided there since 2008, returned to their motherhouse in Rome in 2022 due to declining membership and health challenges among the sisters[1][3].

The monastery, founded in 1825 by Trappist monks, has housed several religious orders over its nearly 200-year history. Following the nuns’ departure, the Diocese of Antigonish supported the creation of the Foundation to address the property’s financial obligations, including an outstanding mortgage, and to maintain its role as a spiritual retreat center[1][5]. The Stewardship Campaign launched in 2018 aims to raise $800,000 for property upgrades and operational costs, with over half of the target met by 2023[3][5].

The site includes a chapel, guest accommodations, classrooms, and walking trails, serving as a venue for retreats, missions, and community programs. In 2024, the Foundation expanded its outreach by offering temporary shelter and meals to homeless individuals, reflecting its commitment to addressing local needs while preserving the monastery’s spiritual legacy[5]. Governed by a nine-member board of directors, the organization operates through donations and volunteer efforts[1][3].