ABSTRACT
Austria features a selection of unique convents, such as Göttweig, Heiligenkreuz, Melk, and Nonnberg in Salzburg. Some convent are not inhabited by nuns and monks at the moment, others have the highest numbers of order members ever. What makes convents so appealing? First, the fact that many convents are "Stifte" is fascinating. "Stifte" are foundations which were mostly established by members of dynasties, such as the Habsburgs. The foundations were equipped with real estates and economic powers to ensure the convents' existence for centuries. The basic intention of these foundations was to enable the monks to concentrate on their prayers. Additionally, convents have become indispensable as they brought qualified workforce into a country. The order members demonstrated great skills and showed their dedication in schools, libraries and nursing care. The monks were experienced builders and farmers. As priests, they were in charge of the catechesis and administered the Sacraments also outside the convent. Thus, the convents were and are thankfully accepted by the population and have become an integral part in church life in Austria, if not a foundation of our culture. Austria's cultural identity is partly constituted by the convents, the convent buildings, and the relics which are devoutly preserved there, such as the tomb of St. Rupert in St. Peter's Convent, the Goblet of Tassilo in Kremsmünster Convent, the Kolomann-Tomb in Melk, the skull relic of St. Leopold in Klosterneuburg, the Babenberg Tomb in Holy Cross and many more. Today, convents in Austria continue their traditions and many people make use of the convents as spiritual centers. On the occasion of His visit to Austria, Pope Benedict XVI. is going to visit a convent, which is located on the Via Sacra which leads from Vienna to Mariazell, to show His gratitude and acknowledgement of the convents in Austria: the Cistercian Convent Holy Cross.
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A drive on a randomly chosen route on Austrian motorways makes visitors aware of the fact that Austria features a selection of unique convents. Every few kilometers, there is another convent, such as Göttweig, Heiligenkreuz, Melk, and Nonnberg in Salzburg, and a few minutes later the impressive buildings come into view. Some convents are not inhabited by nuns and monks at the moment but many tourists' question "How many monks and nuns are still living in the convent?" is misleading. It can certainly not be said that there are "still" monks and nuns living in Austrian convents. Convents such as Klosterneuburg and Holy Cross enjoy a high number of vocations and have the highest numbers of order members ever. What makes convents so appealing?
First, the fact that many convents are "Stifte" is fascinating. "Stifte" are foundations which were mostly established by members of dynasties, such as the Habsburgs. The foundations were equipped with real estates and economic powers to ensure the convents' existence for centuries. The generous foundations of the Habsburgs, the Babenbergs, and other Royal Families have shaped church life in Austria.
The basic intention of these foundations was to enable the monks to concentrate on their prayers: prayers for the sovereign prince, the population, and the salvation of the deceased members of the founding dynasty. God heard the prayers and held His hand over the convents.
Additionally, convents have become indispensable as they brought qualified workforce into the country. The order members demonstrated great skills and showed their dedication in schools, libraries, and nursing care. The monks were experienced builders and farmers. As priests, they were in charge of the catechesis and administered the Sacraments also outside the convent. Thus, the convents were and are thankfully accepted by the population and have become an integral part in church life in Austria, if not a foundation of our culture.
In good and in bad times, the Austrian population was closely connected to the convents. Public institutions taking care of education, hospitals, and social welfare have been a late development. For a long time in the history of Austria, people turned to church institutions in times of need which were again connected to convents. Members of orders taught at convent schools and universities, and nuns took care of children in orphanages and old people on their death beds.
As the convents are so old, well established, and easily recognizable, there is a danger of people taking the convents for granted underestimating their value as "spiritual centers." Those who know the situations of the church in other countries where there are few convents, which are thus regarded as a sensation, have recognized: the Austrian people do not value the Austrian convents enough.
The convents have a living history and Austria's cultural identity is partly constituted by the convents, the convent buildings and the relics which are devoutly preserved there, such as the tomb of St. Rupert in St. Peter's Convent, the Goblet of Tassilo in Kremsmünster Convent, the Kolomann-Tomb in Melk, the skull relic of St. Leopold in Klosterneuburg, the Babenberg Tomb in Holy Cross and many more. A list of all first class art pieces which can be found in Austria's convents would amount to several volumes.
Convents have not just tried to preserve the existing art pieces but are engaged in the creation of new sacral art. Anton Bruckner, the poor son of a teacher who was brought to Convent St. Florian by his mother, knew about this. He was a choir boy in Convent St. Florian and became one of the greatest musician and composer of his time. Without Convent St. Florian this career would have never been possible and thus his last wish was to be buried under the convent's organ. Every convent has its Anton Bruckner, though the world may not know about it.
Many leading figures of the Austrian Catholic Church came from convents. One of them is Anton Wolfradt, a monk from Holy Cross Convent, who was Bishop in the Archdiocese of Vienna at the time of the schism (1631-1639). In Salzburg, there was Franz Eder, the former abbot of Convent St. Peter and Archbishop of Salzburg from 1876 to 1890. Friedrick Piffl was Provost of Convent Klosterneuburg before he became Cardinal and Archbishop of Vienna in 1932. He managed the diocese during the time of World War I., the decline of the Monarchy and the global economic crisis. Members of orders have been Bishops also in our times: Maximilian Aichern, a monk in the Convent St. Lambrecht in Styria, was Bishop in Linz from 1981 to 2005. Cardinal Archbishop Dr. Christoph Schönborn, the present Bishop of Vienna belongs to the order of the Dominicans, which is actually a mendicant order.
Today, convents in Austria continue their traditions and many people make use of the convents as spiritual centers. On the occasion of His visit to Austria, Pope Benedict XVI. is going to visit a convent, which is located on the Via Sacra which leads from Vienna to Mariazell, to show His gratitude and acknowledgement of the convents in Austria: the Cistercian Convent Holy Cross. This convent has a traditional set of priorities. The monks dedicate themselves to the Liturgy of the Hours and celebrating the Holy Mass. Additionally, Holy Cross is responsible for the pastoral care of 18 incorporated parishes. Holy Cross and many other convents have been fulfilling their educational mission for centuries in the education of priest candidates at the "Papal Philosophical-Theological College Benedict XVI. Holy Cross."
The situation of the church at the beginning of the 21st century is much different from situations the convent was in when it was founded in the 8th century. Still, some things have stayed the same. The re-evangelization of Europe is done by the long theological tradition, common prayer, and sanctifying work. How do monks bridge the life in the convent and the outside world? By their increasing presence in the internet. All convents present themselves in the internet and their youth workers have to answer more e-mails then ever.
Father Dr. Alkuin Schachenmayr OCist
Holy Cross Convent
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