Abbey of Gethsemani

Founded in 1848 by 44 Trappist monks from the Abbey of Melleray in western France.

Depend on mail order sales of homemade fruitcake, cheese, and bourbon fudge.

Monk's day begins at 3:15am with Vigils. Ends with Compline at 7:30pm. Chant public prayers seven times a day, known as the Opus Dei (work of God).

Probably the most famous monk is Thomas Merton.

Began selling cheese in 1940s, using milk from their own Holsteins, in the tradition of their Trappist brothers at the Abbey of Port du Salut, a French monastery.