Styrian offers

New Year’s Eve in a monastery: what’s behind the trend

At St. Lambrecht Abbey, you can spend the New Year among monks.

(Bild: Benediktinerstift St. Lambrecht)

From St. Lamprecht to Seggauberg, the turn of the year can be celebrated away from wild parties. What's behind "New Year's Eve in a monastery"? And why does this idea attract so many people? The nun Sabine Grangl explains.

Silence and prayers instead of firecrackers and partying. This concept is offered by several Styrian religious communities - and it strikes a chord with the times. "Being unavailable for once, putting your cell phone away for once, that has a whole new value these days and can bring a whole new depth," explains Sabine Grangl. The 31-year-old is a nun of the Graz School Sisters and is also accompanying the "New Year's Eve in the Monastery" event at Seggau Castle this year.

But what motivates the participants? "It's the longing for something different," explains Grangl. The individual motivations are different - often it is the silence, some don't want to be alone, some are fascinated by monastic life. The opportunity to pause for a moment offers "time for yourself, time for God and time for the community".

Sister Sabine Grangl spoke about her New Year's Eve with a difference in the "Orden on Air" podcast.

(Bild: ÖOK/rm)

The countdown begins around the fire bowl at Seggau Castle.

(Bild: Grazer Schulschwestern)

For the third time, this extraordinary offer will take place between December 30, 2024 (4 pm) and January 1, 2025 (3 pm). It is specially designed for women aged between 18 and 45. On New Year's Eve, there will be a communal prayer in the chapel, followed by dinner and reflection. "But we also celebrate in the convent," says Grangl - first with a toast together, then outside with a countdown, fire bowl and impressive views of the fireworks. The guests are accommodated in the sisters' apartment and rented rooms.

New Year's Eve among monks
But this is not the only offer in Styria: you can experience a similar New Year's Eve at St. Lambrecht Abbey. Under the guidance of monks, there is a program including church services, spiritual impulses and group discussions for just 85 euros between 28 December and 1 January.

The House of Silence also lives up to its name on New Year's Eve.

(Bild: www.photosbyhans.at / Haus der Stille)

The House of Silence in Heiligenkreuz am Waasen will also be celebrating New Year's Eve from December 27 under the motto "Conclusion and Departure". In the mornings, there are always impulses for the day, followed by extensive time for meditation, walks, individual discussions and shared meals. On December 31, there is a pause in the chapel at midnight before a toast with sparkling wine.

Sister Gangl also found her personal path to faith through New Year's Eve rituals - and later to the Franciscan nuns. "I always felt a longing to retreat to quiet places on New Year's Eve," she says. Even as a teenager, she pursued this fascination. Today, she is head of class at the Schulschwestern secondary school and teaches religion, mathematics and music. On New Year's Eve, she also wants to "press pause" on her hectic everyday life.