“Listen, O my son, to the precepts of thy master, and incline the ear of thy heart, and cheerfully receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of thy loving Father” RB Prologue 1

About 360 Benedictines are living in Austria today. Their way of life is determined by the monastic rule of Saint Benedict, which was written in the 6th century and contributed greatly to occidental European culture. The tradition of Austrian Benedictine monasteries dates back many centuries. In their respective times they have always tried to put into effect the words ORA et LABORA et LEGE (pray and work and read) of the Rule.

Both rooted in tradition and in keeping with the challenges of a modern world, the Benedictine monasteries in Austria endeavour to this day to give a concrete answer to the question of God and human existence. Monastic life wants to offer a real alternative to today’s usual ways of life.

Every monastery wants to provide a place to encounter God. Thus SEARCHING for GOD is what the monastic father Benedict asks of his pupils first and foremost. The Benedictine monasteries aim to share this experience of searching for God with all the people they meet: as guests, pupils, tourists, business partners … and internet surfers.

The fundamental idea of Benedictine monasticism can be summed up in a few words: ORA et LABORA – PRAY and WORK to which you can also add LEGE (READ), because Saint Benedict attached great importance to the reading of religious texts.