Cistercian Nuns

(Bernardines), a religious order founded in 1120 by abbot Stephen of Citeaux for the convent of Tarb. They followed the rule of Citeaux under the superintendence of the abbot general of the Cistercians. Later, they were frequently subjected to the jurisdiction of the bishops. Their habit was white, with a black veil, scapular, and girdle. They gradually amassed immense riches, and numbered as many as 6000 convents. In Germany some of the abbesses were raised to the dignity of princesses of the empire, and remained so until 1803. Among all their convents, that of Port Royal (q.v.), in France, became the most celebrated. Only a few convents are left, viz. in Switzerland (which has now by far the largest number), in Italy, Bavaria, Saxony, and France. SEE TRAPPISTS.