The Society for Monastic Studies (S.M.S.) is a civil cultural association which groups together people who have a special interest in monastic culture and monastic spirituality.
Its aim is to foster knowledge of monasticism, and periodically to hold the Week of Monastic Studies, an early activity whereupon the S.M.S. centred right from its inception in 1962. This Week of Studies, which is now held once every two years, began in 1958, and it was from it that the S.M.S. originated.
Most S.M.S. members are Benedictine, Cistercian and Hieronymite monasteries of monks and nuns. But other contemplative monasteries have been joining them, and also an increasing number of lay people, who have discovered in the monastic life a whole set of values with a special relevance of their own.
The S.M.S. is subject to Spanish and Portuguese Law.
Its seat has always been the Monastery at El Paular (Madrid).
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