In Austria, three elderly nuns from the Augustinian Order – Sister Bernadette (88), Sister Regina (86) and Sister Rita (82) – escaped from a nursing home and returned to where they were living – the Goldenstein Convent near Salzburg.
Goldenstein is an ancient 14th century castle that has served as a convent since 1877. Hundreds of girls attended a public school here, which was taken care of by order.
The nuns devoted their entire lives to it: teaching, educating, caring for the garden and the walls. Sister Regina was even the headmistress of the school, and her friends taught for decades.
But in 2022, the convent closed, the school was transferred to the Archdiocese of Salzburg, and the castle itself was given to a new owner.
The episcopate decided that it was not reasonable to keep a huge building for the sake of three women. And the sisters were moved to a special boarding house for the elderly I like to talk about “escape”.
Sister said that once studied in the same class with Romy Schneider, who later became a film star.
She herself has spent her entire life in a convent and has survived a succession of five abbesses. But, she says, none of them treated the sisters as badly as the last one.
Threat to life and health
Meanwhile, the last abbess, about whom Sister Bernadette complains (her name is not given), together with the vice-rector of Reichersberg Abbey, Markus Grassel, are convinced: independent life in an empty convent is a dangerous step, threatening the health and even the life of elderly women.
Grassel called the nuns’ act “completely incomprehensible”.
In a statement quoted by Der Standard, he insists: the decision to transfer the sisters to a nursing home was made “for their own good”.
For the good of the elderly. no norms to talk about decent care and security,” he is convinced. Grasl therefore urges the sisters to return to a nursing home where they are guaranteed care and medical attention.
“Returning home.”
But the sisters are determined. And to make their lives easier, former students and local residents have come to their aid.
The deputy mayor of Salzburg, Kai Michael Dunkl, has promised to provide them with money from a social fund formed from the salaries of politicians.
Local catering establishments were not left out: three restaurants took turns bringing lunches to the nuns.
Goldenstein is not what it is without the sisters,” says Sophie Toscher, one of the students. When they need help, they just call and we go. The sisters have changed so many lives for the better.
Alisha, another alumna, adds: They always this house will not give up without a fight – even if the whole world says otherwise.