in Switzerland, were a source of trouble for some time.
, himself, was at Einsiedeln Abbey for a while, and used the opportunity for protesting against the famous Pilgrimages, but the storm passed over and the Abbey was left in peace. Abbot Augustine I (1600–1629) was the leader of the movement, which resulted in the erection of The
of The Order of Saint Benedict, in 1602, and he also did much for the establishment of stricter observance in the Abbey and for the promotion of a high standard of scholarship and learning amongst his Monks.
The Pilgrimages, which have never ceased since the days of Saint Meinrad, have tended to make Einsiedeln Abbey the rival even of
leading there.
Pilgrimages constitute one of the features for which the Abbey is chiefly celebrated. The Pilgrims number around one million, from all parts of Catholic Europe or even further. The statue of Our Lady, from the 15th-Century, enthroned in the little Chapel erected by Eberhard, is the object of their Devotion. This Chapel stands within the great Abbey Church, in much the same way as The Holy House at Loreto, encased in marble and elaborately decorated.
14 September and 13 October are the chief Pilgrimage Days, the former being the Anniversary of the miraculous Consecration of Eberhard's Basilica, and the latter that of The Translation of Saint Meinrad's Relics from Reichenau Island to Einsiedeln Abbey, in 1039. The millennium of Saint Meinrad was kept there with great splendour in 1861, as well as that of The Benedictine Monastery, in 1934.
The great Church has been many times rebuilt, the last time by Abbot Maurus between 1704 and 1719. The last big renovation ended after more than twenty years in 1997. The
Library contains nearly 250,000 volumes and many priceless Manuscripts. The work of the Monks is divided chiefly between Prayer, work and study. At Pilgrimage times, the number of Confessions heard is very large.
Saint Meinrad Arch-Abbey, Indiana, United States of America.
Photo: 23 June 2008.
Source: Own work.
(Wikimedia Commons)
Saint Meinrad Arch-Abbey, in
Spencer County, Indiana,
USA, was Founded by Monks from
Einsiedeln Abbey,
Switzerland, on 21 March 1854, and is home to approximately ninety-eight Monks. It is one of only two
Arch-Abbeys in The
United States and one of only nine in the World.
The Benedictine Community, at Saint Meinrad Arch-Abbey, consists of men who dedicate their lives to Prayer and work. They gather in Community five times a day — for
Morning Prayer,
Mass,
Noon Prayer,
Evening Prayer and
Compline — to Pray for The Church and the World. Guests often join the Monks in Prayer in The Arch-Abbey.
Gregorian Chant is sung in The Canonical Hours of The Monastic Office, primarily in Antiphons, used to sing The Psalms, in the Great Responsories of Matins, and the Short Responsories of The Lesser Hours and Compline. The Psalm Antiphons of The Office tend to be short and simple, especially compared to the complex Great Responsories.
In addition, the Monks spend private time reading Spiritual and Religious material. They live under The
Rule of Saint Benedict, which are the 6th-Century A.D. instructions for Community Living, written by
Saint Benedict.
This is a representation of the Coat-of-Arms of Saint Meinrad Arch-Abbey,
in Saint Meinrad, Indiana, United States of America.
Blazon: Azure, a Ship with one Sail, Argent, the Mast terminating in a Cross,
the Sail charged with the Greek letters Chi Rho, Sable, resting on a
Sea Barry Wavy of six, Argent and Azure; on a Chief, Or,
two Eagles (Ravens ?) rising to Dexter, Sable. [1]
Date: 6 August 2012.
Source: Own work.
(Wikimedia Commons)
In 2013, the Community numbered sixty Monks. Attached to the Abbey are a Seminary and a College for about 360 Pupils, who are partially taught by the Monks, who also provide
Spiritual Direction for six Convents of
Religious Sisters.
In 1854, when the Monastery was again facing suppression, a colony was sent to The United States, from Einsiedeln, to minister to the local German-speaking population and to develop a place of refuge, if needed. Daughter Houses began to be Founded, the first being
Saint Meinrad, Indiana, and, in 1881, these were formed into the
Swiss-American Congregation, which, in 2013, comprised fourteen Monasteries from Canada, in the North, down to Guatemala, ten of which were directly Founded from Einsiedeln. In The Fall of 1887, Einsiedeln Abbey sent eight
Novices, and one
Professed Monk, to
Subiaco, Arkansas. The
Reverend Father
Gall D'Aujourd'hui, O.S.B., is considered to be the Co-Founder of
Subiaco Abbey and Academy.
English: The Nave, Einsiedeln Abbey, Switzerland.
Photo: 26 January 2013.
Source: Own work.
(Wikimedia Commons)
One of Einsiedeln Abbey's Apostolates is a School (Gymnasium), for the seventh- to twelfth-grades, which has existed in its present form since 1848. It is the continuation of a tradition of education that dates to the Early-Middle-Ages. Its distinguished Alumni include:
Gall Morel;
Franz Fassbind;
Philipp Etter;
Hans Hürlimann, and his son,
Thomas Hürlimann;
Bruno Frick; and
Anatole Taubman.
Located in separate Cantons, Einsiedeln Abbey and
Fahr Abbey, a Community of Benedictine Nuns, form a
Double Monastery, both under the authority of The Abbot of Einsiedeln.
Einsiedeln Abbey's Library contains the
Versus de scachis, the earliest mention of Chess in Western Literature.
Einsiedeln Abbey, Switzerland.
Photo: 27 May 2009.
Source: Own work.
(Wikimedia Commons)
