The Nuns leave the Monastery of Marienlof-Colen

13 July 2020

Since 23 September 2019 the monastery of Colen has been affiliated with the monastery of Helfta (Germany), because the community consisted of only three elderly sisters.
The monastery was founded in the 15th century by the Canons Regular of the Holy Cross. 198 years ago, the Cistercian monk Jerome Minsart acquired the monastery and offered it to the Cistercian nuns of Belgium.
On 13 July 2020 the last Eucharist took place at Colen. For the occasion, numerous Trappist nuns of the Abbey of Nazareth in Brecht came to Colen. Fr. Bruno Robeck, Prior of the monastery of Langwaden, presided at this last celebration. In the homily he honored the life and work of the nuns of Colen and emphasized the confidence of the sisters who are ready to face this sad departure with faith.
After the Eucharist, the nuns of Brecht served a picnic for everyone, and the communal prayer of None at the monastery cemetery concluded the meeting. Then Mother Myriam Vrancken, Mother Christiane Hansen of Helfta, and Sr. Katharina Hauschild of Boulaur – who had assisted Mother Myriam in the last months at Colen – went to the Trappist monastery of Brecht. Mother Myriam will remain there for a time, after which she will transfer to Helfta.
In the name of the whole Order, the Abbot General, who visited Colen at the end of February, thanks Mother Myriam and her sisters for the faith and love with which they have lived out this time, and also all the people and communities who with such generosity offered their precious help!

• < Prev
• Next >