From the Visitation Monastery in Zangberg, Germany:
“From our hearts we wish that you – not only in this Christmas season – always have a rose blossom, as a sign of love and hope, as God in his incarnation was one of us and is always there for us. May this Christmas mystery and blessing of the Christ-child escort you in the warm but especially during the cold periods, as we bring in the new year.”
Some highlights they share with us about their past year:
“ In our monastery, there are many treasures, where we often carelessly pass. But this year a stained glass window, in which Mary is called the “mysterious rose” is represented in the little Rosary Chapel, and has touched us. She has brought us little flowers, of which the old familiar Christmas song, “Es ist ein Ros sprung” sings.
The rose is the sign of the love that blossoms in Jesus Christ and says to us: “I love you with infinite love, do not be afraid, I became a man, even for you, I never leave you.” This is the secret of the rose: because God loves us so, we are also capable of loving Him, our loving God, and through him the people. This incarnate love we celebrate at Christmas – in the cold winter.
On 2 July, when all the roses in the garden bloomed in abundance and we celebrated the feast of the Visitation Order Sr.M. Teresa Schmidt made first religious profession for three years, obedient, poor, chaste and living in our community. “You speak your YES in a time when vocations have become rare. But remember, 400 years ago, the first sisters did not know what the future holds, and lived YES in deep devotion and full faith in God , “said her preacher P. Herbert Winklehner OSFS,.
A musical highlight in our monastic community:
THE BARONESS – a musical about Jane Frances de Chantal, our foundress, was a production of the Oblates of St.. Francis de Sales and Catholic. University of Eichstätt. If you are interested go to: http://www.musical-diebaronin.de/
In warm, sisterly solidarity,
Your sisters of the Visitation in Zangberg
