Sunday in the monastery: A day full of peace, community and reflection!

Sunday in the monastery: A day full of peace, community and reflection!

Vienna, February 28, 2025 - On the occasion of the “International Day of Sundays Free” on March 3, local religious communities are presenting a special video series that focuses on the values ​​of Sunday. The monks of Melk Abbey, the Sisters of Mercy Zams as well as the Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother in Vienna and the Jesuits in the Cardinal König Haus show in four clips on social media how Sundays are organized in their communities. They emphasize: “Sunday is more than just a day off – it is a day of rest, community and reflection,” as the Austrian Religious Conference reported in a press release. The videos will be available on Instagram and Facebook channels starting this weekend to help people understand the importance of taking a weekly break kathpress.at reported.

As part of the video series, the everyday life of the religious communities on Sunday is also highlighted. The monks from Melk reveal that they are allowed to sleep an hour longer on Sundays and enjoy cake for breakfast. The pleasant atmosphere is complemented by special church services. The nuns organize their Sunday in a similar way: in Zams and Vienna, the day is dedicated to community, prayer and personal contact with family and friends. At the Jesuits, Father Helmut Schumacher reflects on the importance of using Sunday for self-care and enjoying nature while preparing for the week ahead.

The decline of the choir women of Klosterneuburg

While modern monastic communities place Sunday thought at the center of their activities, the Augustinian choir women of Klosterneuburg cast a shadow over history. The monastery used to enjoy a high reputation and was known for its female choir members, who even cultivated their own vineyards. The 13th century was a heyday when numerous women joined the order. But the influx slowed towards the end of the Middle Ages, and in 1568 the last choir woman died, which ultimately led to the dissolution of the monastery. The once thriving community is now part of history, because in 1722 the choir women's church was also desecrated and many buildings were demolished, such as dersonntag.at reported.