Permanent Apostolate of the FSSP in South Tirol

Benedictine abbey Säben

(Innsbruck) The Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) now extends its pastoral activity and now has a permanent apostolate also in the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone.

Already 15 years ago the first contacts to South Tyrol had been made. Priests of the Society of Saint Peter were invited to their parishes by friendly priests. 300 of the faithful had asked the diocesan bishop with their signature for the erection of a Mass location in the traditional rite. However, the promising start failed because of the then Bishop of Bolzano-Bressanone. The time was obviously not ripe yet. The Motu proprio Summorum Pontificum created by Pope Benedict XVI. initially freed the Mass in September 2007.

The pilgrimage church Mariahilf near Bressanone (built around 1650)

In the diocese, within two years there were two bishop changes. Since autumn 2011, the diocese has been headed by Bishop Ivo Muser. New possibilities opened up. Since June 2013, an FSSP priest celebrates Holy Mass once a month in the German church of Bolzano in the traditional form of the Roman Rite. From the summer of 2014, a second location in Bressanone followed in the same rhythm. Since then, the two episcopal cities, the ancient episcopal city of Bressanone (since about 960) and the new episcopal city of Bolzano (since 1964) have been reached by the Priestly Society of St. Peter.

The two Mass locations were looked after at the German church in Bolzano and the Mariahilf church in Brixen by the Upper Bavarian Mittenwald, which is itself looked after by Innsbruck already.

Additionally, contacts were established with the only Tyrolean Benedictine monastery, the Abbey of the Heiligenkreuz in Säben. It's a connection that blends well with the two Mass locations. Not only because the monastery is geographically located exactly between them, but because Säben from the 6th -10th Century was the first and oldest episcopal see of the diocese of Brixen.

The old bishop's palace, today's monastery, towers like a strong fortress of God on the Säbener mountain high above the Eisacktal. At the foot of the mountain, which for early Christians had been a safe haven, lies the small town of Klausen and the castle of Branzoll. The ascent to the monastery takes place from there on foot. The high age of Christianity on this venerable "Holy Mountain of Tyrol" can be felt everywhere.

Since 1686 there is a daughter of the Abbey Nonnberg in Salzburg on the mountain. Since then, contemplative Benedictine nuns live here in strict retreat. They dedicate themselves to choral prayer, domestic work and the gardens. Fr. Sven Connrade, the first priest of the FSSP, found a friendly reception with the nuns. Thus, the FSSP has its first office in Tyrol.

The monastery is the destination of many pilgrims to the Heiligenkreuz Church, one of the three churches of the monastery. There is also a guest house that is open to people looking for more than a few days more than just a hotel. Interested women can live in the monastery community.

From Säben the FSSP has looked after the two Mass locations whereby in Bressanone it was extended by the constant presence of a priest. In the Church of Mariahilf, the Holy Mass is now celebrated on every Sunday and public holiday in the traditional rite. This is a big win for the faithful in South Tyrol, which is gratefully accepted.

P. Conrad took over in the meantime new tasks in Bettbrunn. The South Tyrolean sites are now looked after by P. Bernward van der Linden, an FSSP priest with experience of the Benedictine charism, which is why he feels at home in the Benedictine Abbey on the Säbener Berg.

So there is the hope that in future in Bolzano on all Sundays and public holidays, Holy Mass can be celebrated in the traditional form of the Roman rite.

Contact:

P. Bernward van der Linden

Säbener Aufgang 10

39043 Klausen

Mass Locations:

Brixen

Pilgrimage church Mariahilf in Zinggen

Brennerstrasse 37, 39042 Bressanone

4th Sunday of the month at 6 pm, all other Sundays and holidays at 9.30 am

Bolzano (Bozen)

German Church of St. George

Weggensteinstraße 14, 39100 Bolzano

3rd Sunday of the month at 6 pm

See also:

Priestly figures: Pastor Josef von Zieglauer and the Tridentine Mass in the Diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone

Text: Martha Burger

Image: Wikicommons / Information Sheet of the FSSP (Screenshot)
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG