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Priorat of St. WigbertiWerningshausen, ThuringiaAbout 13 miles north of the town of Erfurt, is the village of Werningshausen. In 1973, the church was going to ruin and was to be pulled down, as had been done to the churches of the neighbouring villages. A young parson arrived and founded a community the members of which repaired the church of Werningshausen and 20 other churches in the region. This was a signal to the villagers as well as to the authorities of the established church. The members of the community had decided to live together according to the rules of the order of St. Benedict. As monks were unusual in the evangelical church it took lengthy discussions before the rules were approved in 1987 by Bishop Dr. Werner Leich, who had watched the work of the community with sympathy from its beginning in Hermsdorf in 1967. At the same time Pfarrer Franz Schwarz was appointed prior of the Fraternity of St. Wigberti. After much work and with the help of many donations the brethren settled down at Werningshausen in their own convent buildings which have been consecrated in 1992. Garden in Spring
Ora et labora:is the rule of conduct of the ten bretheren, aged between 20 and 54 years. Four times a day they meet for canonical hours and on Thursdays a convent mass is held. For many of the Christians in the village as well as those who live not too far away Werningshausen means a shelter in the wilderness: mass on Sundays and parish activities are well attended Besides their pastoral duties the brethren work on the monastery area with its wafer bakery, its souvenir shop, and its guest-rooms. There is also a group of young people who keep close contact with the brethren and their activities (Oblatenkreis) and the Association of Friends who give financial aids. In this way the brethren are kept in touch also with the difficulties and troubles of the world outside the convent, which itself seems to be well protected by God. Association of FriendsThe association was founded on an idea of the former bishop Dr. Werner Leich in 1994 to assist the Fraternity in financial and spiritual matters. The members of the Association pay a contribution of at least DM 24,- ($13) a year and meet at Werningshausen once a year, in August on St. Wigbert’s day, for a general meeting. By the end of 1997 there were about 130 members. New members are always welcome. Heaven bless them. Visit Priory web siteView of Werningshausen |
