Requiem For A German Abbey.

Illustration: FSSPX NEWS

After nearly nine Centuries of Cistercian presence in Himmerod, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, there are only six Monks left in 2017. The fate of the Abbey’s Community has just been sealed by the decision of The Congregation’s Chapter to dissolve it.

“The precarious financial situation, and especially the small number of Monks, played a key role in the painful decision,” declared Fr. Johannes, Superior of The Congregation of Mehrerau, a Branch of The Cistercian Order, in the columns of the 15 October 2017 Issue of The Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper.

The Abbey of Our Lady of Himmerod was Founded in 1134 in Rhineland-Palatinate, in The Eifel Valley. That year, twelve Monks, led by Randulf, left Clairvaux, France. Saint Bernard, the Founder of The Cistercian Order, sent them to Found a Monastery. A Romanesque Basilica was built a few years later on the model of Clairvaux, in the form of a Cross, with a main Nave divided into two parts; one for the Monks, the other for The Faithful.

For several years, the Monks of Himmerod had been simply maintaining their presence without any new arrivals, despite "The Springtime of The Church" announced by The Second Vatican Council. A decision had to be made. The Cistercians will leave.

The ownership of the Monastery will soon be Transferred to The Diocese of Treves, on whose territory it is situated, and The Religious will choose their new residence.

Another cause is the crisis in The Church, whose Reformed Liturgy after The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) provoked a loss of The Faith and a collapse of Christian Life. 

The Heterodox Novelties, the Doctrinal and Moral Relativism that has spread – even if it continues to be denounced –, Religious Indifference, and Modern Practice, far from the meaning of The Cross and of Sacrifice, could not but empty The Seminaries and Novitiates. 

For Catholic Society to be reborn, The Church needs to return to her Tradition. 

Omnia instaurare in Christo !