MONKSWEETS
“When they live by the labor of their hands, as our fathers and the apostles did, then they are really monks.”
- Rule of Saint Benedict, Chapter 48
MonkSweets Has Introduced 8 Products Since 2019; Candies Available in Gift Shop
Br. Columba Cotton, O.S.B., is manager of MonkSweets.
Monasteries and convents have a tradition of making food and drinks and selling them directly to the public. It is part of the monastic way of life to help the religious communities be more self-sufficient.
Br. Leo Franca, O.S.B., started MonkSweets in 2019. He said, “The MonkSweets cottage industry of Saint Joseph Abbey began in March 2019 as a little fun challenge. If other monasteries can sell great products like hot sauce, fruit jellies, cakes, pastries, and liqueurs, among other things, we can, too! So we decided to embark on the adventure of producing different kinds of candies to help generate some income for the Abbey and offer the public a variety of options for their sweet tooth.”
Br. Columba Cotton, O.S.B., took over as MonkSweets manager mid 2024. Several volunteers help him make and package the sweets.
PRODUCTS
While Br. Leo is constantly thinking of new “sweet” ideas to try, there are currently eight products sold at various times of the year at the Saint Joseph Abbey Gift Shop. They are:
Peanut Bliss (with crushed peanuts)
Bliss With a Twist (with crushed peanuts and dark chocolate)
Abbey Crumbles (with crushed peanuts)
Peanut Butter Fudge
Benedictus (coffee-flavored dark chocolate)
Sancta Maria Cookies (cookies dipped in coffee-flavored dark chocolate)
Angelicus (pretzels dipped in coffee-flavored dark chocolate)
Cloistered Peanuts (peanuts and dark chocolate)
Contact Us
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Contact Us ✜
EMAIL US
Use the contact form located below if you have a question for MonkSweets.
CALL US
Switchboard
985-892-1800
GIFT SHOP HOURS
Monday through Saturday:
9-11 a.m. and 12-3 p.m.
Sunday: 12-1:30 p.m.
VOLUNTEER
Do you want to volunteer with MonkSweets? Learn more about volunteer opportunities here.