What is Stift Klosterneuburg?

In Part 2 I explained what a Stift is.  In order to understand any Stift, especially Stift Klosterneuburg, it is important to have a good understanding of what a Stift was and how they came to be.  In the German speaking world, many monasteries are termed “Stift”,  but very few are a Stift in the original and historic sense.

Klosterneuburg is truly a Stift in the historical and original meaning. The Stift was founded as collegiate church by the Margrave Leopold III (Babenberg) in 1114.  It was to be the largest in the land and a sign of his prestige and power.  In 1132, Leopold decreed that the Church would become a house of Augustinian Canons.   The Augustinian Canons were to build up a spiritual base within the area, in order to promote pastoral work in the spirit of ecclesiastical reform and to develop strongholds of lawful ecclesiastical authority.

Pope Innocent II granted Klosterneuburg papal overlordship on March 30th, 1134.  This freed the new community from outside interference. The new church was blessed on 29 September, 1136.  Shortly after this, Margrave Leopold died and was buried in a crypt beneath the chapter house, which quickly developed into a place of pilgrimage to the “Mild Margrave”, as he was already known in his lifetime. Centuries later the Margrave was canonized and declared a Saint.

Like other Stifts, Stift Klosternuburg was founded to provide a place for St. Leopold and his family to be buried, a religious center for the area, and an institution which would provide social and economic benefits to the local population, and which would initially govern the region.  In order to to provide the material means for this to happen, St. Leopold endowed Stift Klosterneuburg with the necessary economic means to fulfill his hopes.  In classic medieval fashion, Klosterneuburg possessed from its beginnings properties all over present day Lower Austria, as well as governance over the city of Klosterneuburg.  While the Stift no longer governs the city, the other endowments and obligations continue.

The life Stift Klostneuburg is still active and vibrant. The Stift pastors 25 parishes, which make Klosterneuburg akin to a small diocese. The Canons continue their obligations to its  founder, his family and the subsequent ruling family of Austria, the Habsburgs.  We continue to pray for the repose of their souls and of the countless others buried in  this sacred place.  Through the centuries there have been various centers of learning here at the Stift, from the early monastic school to the philosophical-theological faculty founded here to train students for the priesthood, and the school for choirboys which only passed from existence in the 1960’s.  Today, the Stift is involved in educational programs for street children in Europe and many other charitable endeavors.

Economically, the Stift continues to employ nearly 200 people in its various enterprises, encompassing forestry, household maintenance, wine production and sales, real estate, the abbey museum, and more recently tourism.  We continue to exercise a healthy ministry of hospitality to many guests, as well as pilgrims who come to venerate the relics of St. Leopold, the patron of Austria.

Without the financial security given to the Stift almost 900 years ago by St Leopold none of this would be possible.  The Stift has used his generous gift to feed the local community both spiritually and materially without having to rely on donations or offerings.  The Stift Klosterneuburg was given a task to offer God Praise and Adoration, to proclaim the Gospel, to serve God’s people, to provide for their care and to be good stewards of these gifts so that they may continue.

Near the entrance of the Church at Stift Klosterneuburg there is a book for visitors to write their prayer requests.  These requests are prayed for by the Canons.  During my first visit, I flipped through the book.  I saw requests written in many different languages from all around the world.  Some were simple. Some where for thanks. Some were for help. Some were for strength.  But, occasionally someone would write a comment like “Sell all the gold and feed the poor. Do what Jesus would do! – Jennifer from Canada”  This reminded me of a story from the gospels:

Now when Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of costly perfumed oil, and poured it on his head while he was reclining at table. When the disciples saw this, they were indignant and said, Why this waste? It could have been sold for much, and the money given to the poor. Since Jesus knew this, he said to them, Why do you make trouble for the woman? She has done a good thing for me. The poor you will always have with you; but you will not always have me. In pouring this perfumed oil upon my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Amen, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be spoken of, in memory of her.
(Matthew 26:6-13)

Recently,  this comment came into mind again as I was reading Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict.  The Devil tempted Christ by saying, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” The desire for people to want to relieve the suffering of others is great.  But, the need to spread the Word is greater.  We must remember Jesus’ response: “Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”  It is true the Stift could be sold.  Its wealth could be used to feed the poor.  But, once that is done what do we do about the poor tomorrow?  St. Leopold endowed the Stift with great wealth.  He did this like Mary poring perfumed oil on Christ.  The sweet smell of his offering is still among us 900 years later.  Through the works of Stift Klosterneuburg the Gospel is proclaimed, not just in word but also deed.