The Salvatorians celebrate the opening of their new monastery

Numerous worshippers, guests from home and abroad, and representatives from the Church, religious orders and local politics gathered to join in the celebrations marking the inauguration of the new building. Church services, processions, gatherings and communal celebrations made the opening a special occasion for the Salvatorians, the parish community and the entire region.

A festive start at the parish church

The event began with a festive service at the parish church of St Simon and St Jude Thaddeus. The main celebrant was the Superior General of the Salvatorians, Fr Krzysztof Kowalczyk, who had travelled from Rome especially for the occasion. Together with General Consultor Fr Hubert Kranz and twelve fellow brothers, he celebrated the Eucharist with the congregation.

Father General Krzysztof Kowalczyk and General Consultor Father Hubert Kranz celebrated the Eucharist together with twelve fellow brothers. (c) ASG

Gratitude and Trust in God’s Guidance

In his sermon, Fr Hubert Kranz focused on gratitude. He said that the consecration service was, above all, a service of thanksgiving, as there were many people to thank, but above all God. At the same time, he recalled the spiritual legacy of Blessed Francis Jordan. His trust in God’s guidance and his missionary spirit continue to provide direction for the Salvatorian community to this day. At the end of his sermon, Father Hubert asked for God’s abundant blessings for the new community and for all those connected with the new monastery.

Father General Krzysztof Kowalczyk and General Consultor Father Hubert Kranz thanked the Gurtweiler parish for their support. (c) ASG

Father General Krzysztof Kowalczyk also addressed the congregation and those involved with words of thanks. “I would like to congratulate all the people of Gurtweiler who are inspired by Blessed Francis Jordan.” He recalled that the Order’s founder demonstrated “how a simple man from a small village can bring about many great things”.

Father Josef Wonisch, former Provincial, has taken on new responsibilities at the new monastery in Gurtweil. (c) ASG

The music for the service was provided by the Gurtweil church choir, members of the men’s choir and singers from the Aufbruch vocal group.

Numerous guests attended the celebrations to mark the opening together with the Salvatorians. (c) ASG

Delight at the new monastery

Numerous speeches were made at the official opening of the new Salvatorian monastery. Local councillor Claudio Helling paid tribute to Fr Jordan as a figure of particular significance to Gurtweil. At the same time, he echoed a remark by Fr Piet Cuijpers: “Life here should not, and will not, be one of monastic seclusion.”

Speaking on behalf of the Archdiocese of Freiburg was Canon Peter Kohl, the Bishop’s Vicar for Religious Orders. On behalf of the diocese, he said, “I would like to express our great joy at their decision to found a convent here.” He described the ceremony as a special and almost fairy-tale-like event.

Blessing of the new monastery

After the service, the congregation made their way in procession to the new monastery in the Höllstein area. There, the building was solemnly blessed. The participants sang hymns of thanksgiving, recited psalms and listened to passages from the Spiritual Diary of Blessed Francis Jordan.

Father General Krzysztof Kowalczyk then walked through the monastery, blessing it as he went; the monastery has been home to four Salvatorians for the past few days: Father Piet, Father Bernhard, Father Maximilian and Father Josef. The impressive inauguration ceremony drew to a close with the Te Deum and a communal rendition of the hymn ‘Great God, We Praise Thee’.

Fellowship and Community

The subsequent lunch in the parish hall centred on fellowship, conversation and expressions of gratitude. Many guests took the opportunity to chat with the members of the Order and express their delight at the new branch. The speeches conveyed a sense of gratitude and encouragement, both from the parish and from the Church and the Order. Musical entertainment was provided by the Schlüchttal Accordion Orchestra.

15 June: Father Jordan Rally for Children

The celebrations lasted three days. A special event for children was the Father Jordan Rally at the Gurtweil Primary and Secondary School. The day after the inauguration, all four confreres of the new community visited the Year 3 pupils. During their first lesson, they introduced themselves and the Order.

The children then set off in five groups on a walk through the village. They stopped at various locations significant to the history of Blessed Francis Jordan. There, they learnt about the historical background and were able to explore the life and work of the Order’s founder through a series of short activities.

16 June: Birthday of Blessed Francis Jordan

Another highlight was 16 June, the 178th birthday of Blessed Francis Jordan. To mark the occasion, a solemn evening Mass was celebrated in the parish church, which was once again well attended. The church choir provided the musical accompaniment for the service.

Fr Piet Cuijpers, Prior of the monastery in Gurtweil: “We must nurture and strengthen our excellent collaboration with the local parish. This relationship is a true treasure and fertile ground for future joint projects and apostolic initiatives.” (c) ASG

This was followed by a procession from the baptismal font in the church to the new monastery. Father Jordan was also baptised at this very font. It was here that his vocation began. The altar servers had prepared around 60 paper footprints for the occasion. Written on them were values they had formulated themselves. They served as a reminder that the grace of baptism sustains and accompanies people on their journey through life.

With lights burning, the participants set off. In this way, they symbolically carried the Church’s mission to the new monastery, which is called to spread light. Outside the monastery, the evening drew to a close with an atmospheric street festival that lasted well into the dark of night.

A place of prayer and hospitality

With the new monastery, Gurtweil is gaining a place of prayer, fellowship and spiritual guidance. The inauguration was a striking demonstration of how closely the new community is already connected to the parish and the local people.

Outside the monastery, the evening drew to a close with an atmospheric street festival that lasted well into the night. (c) ASG

At the birthplace of Blessed Francis Jordan, the Salvatorians carry on his spiritual legacy: through trust in God, service to others and openness to all who seek a place of strength, faith and hospitality here.