← Back to Algeria

The martyrs of Tibhirine: seven Trapian monks killed by faith

Tibhirine, Medea, Argelia

On the night of 26-27 March 1996, seven Trapian monks from the Monastery of Our Lady of the Tibhirine Atlas were abducted by an Islamist armed group. Two months later, they were found dead. His martyrdom became a symbol of Christian fidelity in a land of conflict.

The Monastery of Tibhirine

El Monastery of Our Lady of Atlas It was founded in 1938 in Tibhirine, a village in the Medea region, about 90 km south of Algiers. The Trapian monks lived from prayer, manual work and the sale of agricultural products. They had a cordial relationship with the Muslim neighbours, whom they helped on various occasions.

The context of the Algerian civil war

Algeria lived a bloody civil war between the government and armed Islamist groups (GIA, Armed Islamic Group). The monks were aware of the danger, but decided to remain in their monastery as a witness of faith and fraternity with their Muslim neighbours.

Kidnapping

On the night of 26-27 March 1996, an armed group of the GIA raided the monastery and took seven of the nine monks:

• Dom Christian de Chergé (59 years old), prior to the monastery.
• Brother Luc (82 years old), a doctor who served the neighbors.
• Brother Christophe (45 years).
• Frère Michel (52 years old).
• Frère Bruno (66 years).
• Brother Celestin (62 years old).
• Frère Paul (58 years old).

Two monks managed to escape and took refuge with the Muslim neighbours.

Martyrdom

After two months of captivity, the seven monks were killed. Their bodies were found on 21 May 1996. The exact circumstances of his death have not been fully clarified, although it is attributed to the GIA.

The Will of Dom Christian

Dom Christian de Chergé left a spiritual will written in 1994, which became famous after his death:

The Beatification (2018)

On December 8, 2018, the seven monks of Tibhirine were beatified in Oran along with twelve other martyrs of Algeria (bishops, priests, religious and laity killed during the civil war). The beatification was presided over by the Cardinal Angelo Becciu on behalf of Pope Francis.

The film From gods and men (2010)

The French film Men and gods (From gods and men), directed by Xavier Beauvois, tells the story of the monks of Tibhirine. He won the Grand Prix of the Jury at the 2010 Cannes Festival and helped spread the memory of the martyrs.

The monastery today

The monastery of Tibhirine was abandoned after the kidnapping. The buildings have deteriorated, but the Algerian Trapense community has maintained its presence in other monasteries in the country. The place is visitable and has become a destination for pilgrimage.

Prayer to the martyrs of Tibhirine

O Lord, that you have given the monks of Tibhirine the grace of giving their life for you in the land of Algeria, accept us as an offering of love. May his testimony of brotherhood with Muslims be a seed of peace. May Mary, Mother of the martyrs, intercede for all who are persecuted by faith. Amen.