MonkSweets Available in Abbey’s Gift Shop

 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 and still manages it today. 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.” 

While Br. Leo is constantly thinking of new “sweet” ideas to try, there are currently seven 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)

Six volunteers help Br. Leo make and package the sweets.

“Every time we get together in the candy shop, we pray, not only for the people who support the monks by buying our candies, but also for everyone who helps our Abbey in any way possible,” he said.