Letting go and allowing new things

It is a fact today that fewer and fewer people are joining a monastic community. There are many reasons for this. Irene Gassmann, prioress of the Benedictine monastery in Fahr, said on Wednesday evening during the panel discussion in the baroque hall of the Benedictine monastery in Engelberg that “life in a community, coupled with sufficient freedom, is a major challenge.” A statement that Abbot Christian Meyer could also agree with. “Passing on spirituality is a major challenge for a monastic community.” For Emanuel Trueb, Oblate of Engelberg Monastery, “the three areas that make up a monastery – spirituality, community and material things – are no longer perceived by the public today.” Sabine and Benedict Schubert-Prack from the Community of Don Camillo explained that there are also other forms of life in the church today. Prioress Irene Gassmann put it in a nutshell: “If we can let go and allow new things, new possibilities arise.” However, this is only possible if monasteries are allowed room for further development within the often listed buildings. “Because,” assured the prioress of the Benedictine convent in Fahr, “we take care of our home.” Abbot Christian Meyer confirmed that opening up and the associated search for new paths is not always easy. “We also have to overcome fears of new things within our communities.” The panel discussion chaired by Johanna Thali did not produce any concrete solutions for the future of monasteries. But it did at least provide food for thought.