Community
Today, the monastic community of Engelberg comprises 17 monks from all age groups. It lives according to the Rule of St. Benedict and the motto “so that God may be glorified in everything” (Latin: ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus [U.I.O.G.D.]). They associate this with the wish that God may play a role in everything they do, everything they say, everything that happens, and that glory may be given to Him. They honor this daily in the communal celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours and the Eucharist. In addition to the monks, there are many secular employees in the sense of an extended and supportive community who work in the monastery with its businesses and in the monastery school.
Hören- Suchen - Gestalten- 900 years of Engelberg Abbey
The volume “Hören - Suchen - GEstalten" - 900 years of Engelberg Monastery”, published for the 2020 anniversary, provides an insight into the monastery's diverse monastic community
Rule of Benedict
The Rule of St. Benedict is the basis for living together in Benedictine monasteries. It was written by Benedict of Nursia for the monastery of Montecassino, which he founded in 529 AD. As abbot, Benedict was initially very strict. So strict that people even tried to poison him. The Rule itself is rather balanced, benevolent and committed to human moderation. It contains spiritual instructions and instructions on living together in a community. It is worth reading it with today's eyes, because you will be amazed to discover that this almost 1500-year-old text has lost none of its relevance in the fast-moving present day.
The brochure Rule of Benedict can be obtained at the monastery gate.
Benedictine spirituality
“Listen, my son”: St. Benedict of Nursia placed these words at the beginning of his set of rules for the Benedictines. The founder of the monastery knew the writings of the old monastic fathers and lived as a hermit himself for a long time. His monastic rule is permeated by his experiences in religious life, in prayer, in silence, in stillness and in the search for God. He did not develop any modern theories and practices of meditation, contemplation or mysticism. His rules are simple, everyday instructions for prayer, for the holy reading of the Bible, for dealing with one another and for the instruments of good works.
Ora et labora
The most important task of the Benedictines is common prayer (“ora”). Service to God takes place during daily choir prayers. Work (“labora”) is the second focus of the daily routine at Engelberg Monastery. The monks meet at least five times a day for prayer in the monastery church.
Prayer requests
Share your prayer requests with us. The monks of Engelberg Monastery will include your concerns in their prayers. The requests will be treated confidentially and will not be published.
Pastoral care
Pastoral care in the Engelberg valley is of great importance to the monastery. Since the monastery was founded, the parish in the Engelberg valley has been looked after by the Benedictines. For historical reasons, there is only one church in Engelberg for the monastery and parish, in which the services of the monastic community and the parish are celebrated. Good contact to the population in the valley and walking together in faith are therefore central.
