Welcome to Benedictine Bavaria

Bavaria is not only marked by the widespread clichés of mountains, beer gardens and baroque architecture: for centuries it has been imbued with the spirituality of the Benedictine Order’s constant prayers and activities. Bavaria is known as “Terra Benedictina” (Benedictine country).

Thanks to the Benedictines’ schools – later also education provided by other orders – Christian values were passed on to young people. This is intrinsically interwoven with devotion to the Virgin Mary; in fact, this land is dedicated to the Mother of God. She is the Patron Saint of Bavaria and Her most holy shrine is in the town of Altötting.

Both of these factors greatly influenced our present Holy Father, Pope Benedict from his early childhood on. It is for this reason that he assumed the name of the monk father and patron saint of the western world. His love of the Mother of God is still ever present in his pontificate status. Various stations of his life are described in the following lines. 
May blessings redound upon all pilgrims as they follow his footsteps, the ‘Benedict Trail’ (Benediktweg), and may their love for Christ and for His Mother be deepened in their hearts. 

San Anselmo, Rome, in May 2005