Kloster Neustadt

Germany

Neustadt (Germany)

The History

The “Herz-Jesu-Kloster” in Neustadt looks back on more than 100 years of history. In 1919 the Priests of the Sacred Heart were looking for a property to open a convent in Germany, after they had to leave Cameroon due to the end of colonialism. They were able to purchase a plot of land, situated above the town of Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, a former quarry, on the edge of the Palatinate Forest. On January 28^th,1920 the first holy mass was celebrated. In the mid-1920s a retreat house and a church were built, in 1957 followed the construction of a spiritual conference building. Then in the 1970s were built an auditorium, a hall to be used as church, a new building for the convent and finally a new choir of the monastery´s church. In the mid-1990s and finally in 2014 to 2016, the building was once again adapted to the changed requirements of a contemporary conference and guest house, which can now accommodate about 90 guests in single and double bed rooms.

The conference and guest house, now called KLOSTER NEUSTADT, is a spiritual centre under the responsibility of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It presents itself as a modern convention and spiritual conference centre and guest house within a picturesque park, the monastery with its church and a crypt. The monastery is also the home of the Provincialate of the German Province of the Priest of the Sacred Heart and the Mission Procure. Beside the guests who take part in the events and meetings of the convention and conference centre, business and leisure travelers are very welcome. The program of our events and meetings offers a wide range of educational opportunities in the fields of theology, spirituality, cultural history, psychology, social politics and travel.

The Activities

The confreres are active in educational, retreat and parish work as well as in the administration of the congregation; in addition, they regularly offer religious services, times of confession and individual spiritual direction.

The Dehonian characteristics

Daily prayer times and services are celebrated in the community of the convent whenever possible. The Dehonian spirituality with its apostolic mission shapes the spiritual life of the individual confreres, the community and their work. The aim is to proclaim the Good News to the people in their own life situations, adapted to the needs and circumstances of today.

The Challenges and Perspectives

One of the great challenges of the Neustadt community is and will be to serve God and the people, following Jesus and orientated to the spiritual Rule of Fr. Dehon in such a way that people, who are looking for support and orientation, can experience this way of life and its spiritual foundations as a fulfilling and happy path in an increasing secular environment.