Departure in the Seligenthal monastery: new abbess and exciting documentation!

Departure in the Seligenthal monastery: new abbess and exciting documentation!

The Cistercian Abbey Seligenthal in Landshut is faced with fundamental changes that mark a new beginning for the community. This becomes particularly clear with the choice of the new abbess Christiane Hansen, who came from Denmark to Bavaria and carried out the change from Protestantism to the Catholic Church. A new chapter in monastery life is also heralded by the documentation "Walls of Freedom: Seligenthal - Monastery in the Aufbruch", which will be broadcast on ORF 2 and ORF ON on April 8, 2025 at 10:35 p.m. This is presented by Johannes Rosenstein and addresses personal stories and upheavals within the monastery.

The clan of the Cistercians has a long tradition that goes back to the 12th century. The first women's monastery, which was connected to the Cîteaux mother monastery, was founded in France in 1113. With over 800 subsequent women's monasteries who took over the Cistercian customs, the history of the Cistercians is closely linked to the development of unique women's mysticism, which played an important role in the 13th and 14th centuries. Historically, these monasteries were mostly supported by men's monasteries, which often led to a loss of their independence, but also to intensive spiritual exchange and developments.

The challenges of the present

Aktuell around 30 women live in the Seligenthal monastery and take on various tasks to maintain the monastery operation. Sr. Pia has worked up from the organist to the prioress in the course of her career and is still an important figure in the community. In the meantime, Sr. Teresita has worked as a support teacher for more than 30 years before devoting herself to the monastery life. The variety of activities also extends to the care of bee colonies by Sr. Gabriela and the organization of the kitchen and choir prayer by Sr. Teresita.

Despite the engagement of the existing community, there is currently no offspring in the monastery. Sr. Pia expresses hope for future new entrances to continue the monastery traditions. The extensive School Foundation Seligenthal, which includes seven educational institutions with around 1,800 pupils, is an important building block to pass on the inheritance of the Cistercians.

A look into the future

The new abbess Christiane is actively involved in the restructuring of the library and thus promotes mental life within the monastery. The documentation will not only shed light on the monastery life and traditions, but also the dynamic interactions of the sisters. The upcoming second documentary about the pilgrimage to El Rocío, which attracts almost 900,000 pilgrims annually and believe that flamenco and horses are connected, is broadcast at 11:20 p.m. and represents an interesting addition to the topics of the Cistercians.

Overall, the Seligenthal monastery is a place to start up, ready to break new ground and at the same time maintain its deeply rooted traditions. The stories and experiences of the sisters not only offer an insight into the current monastery life, but also into the deeper spiritual meaning of the Cistercians and their contribution to the religious women's movement over the centuries. Further information offers OTS and wikipedia .