Apostolic visit to Heiligenkreuz Abbey
- Apr 16
- 2 min read
By decree of 5 June 2025, the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life ordered an Apostolic Visitation of the Cistercian Abbey of Heiligenkreuz and appointed Abbot Primate Jeremias Schröder OSB and Sister Christine Rod MC as visitators. Following in-depth interviews with 90 monks and numerous external individuals, the visit concludes today.
The Abbot President of the Austrian Cistercian Congregation, Abbot Pius Maurer OCist, read out today, on behalf of the Dicastery, the Dicastery’s letter addressed to the monks of Heiligenkreuz, during a conventual chapter at Heiligenkreuz. The Visitor, Sister Christine Rod MC, answered the monks’ initial questions and presented the conclusions of the Visit. Abbot Primate Jeremias and Sister Christine Rod will discuss the results of the Visit in greater detail with the community at a later date.
Over the coming months and years, the monks of Heiligenkreuz Abbey will carefully consider the Dicastery’s guidance and thus work to deepen their life of faith and strengthen the community’s ability to face the future. The abbey’s rapid growth has led to significant internal structural challenges, and the Holy See intends to support Heiligenkreuz Abbey in addressing these through its recommendations.
The department’s guidelines focus on:
• improving the community’s communication, both internally and externally, a necessity given the size of the community (over 100 monks);
• strategic reflections on the future of the abbey and the setting of priorities;
• a deeper introduction for young people to monastic life and the priesthood
• as well as strengthening the identity and image of Heiligenkreuz Abbey.
The Dicastery expressly thanks Abbot Maximilian Heim OCist for his exceptional personal commitment to Heiligenkreuz Abbey, which has contributed to the community’s remarkable growth.
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