If someone is moved again and again by some inner restlessness to lend an ear to the voice that is calling, driving and inviting her, telling her to give God room above everything else in her life by living the monastic life, then she would take the following steps on her path in our community, steps that St. Benedict suggests in his rule:


First of all St. Benedict requires that candidates should "truly seek God". He suggests a lengthy path of testing and preparation.

Before joining the order the person who is seeking God is invited to get to know the community and the monastic life, initially through some quite short and some longer stays in the monastery. By praying and working with us and trying to clarify her feelings by talking about this important step, she has the possibility to get a better feeling for whether the monastic way of life is what her heart desires.

On entering the monastery she becomes a postulant for 6 months, during which time she again has the opportunity to examine her heart and seek the right way. The postulant is introduced to monastery customs and monastic spirituality.

If the postulant wishes to continue on this path, investiture follows, signifying formal acceptance as a novice. The novitiate lasts two years, during which time the novice becomes more deeply familiar with personal and liturgical prayer, with the concrete details of the monastic life and with the community of sisters, growing all the time in the love of Christ.

"If after all that she still wishes to remain", binding herself to God and to the concrete monastic community, she then makes a vow for 3 years. In this time of simple profession she grows more rooted in the community. The lifelong decision "to put nothing above the love of Christ" becomes firmer, gradually taking a hold in all her daily activities, large or small, so that every aspect of life, with its highs and lows, develops in the direction of "praising God in all things".

The time of testing, which lasts nearly 6 years, ends with the solemn profession, when the sister commits her whole self and her whole life to God in the monastic community. She publicly professes monastic vows of stability, conversion of life, and obedience according to the Rule of St. Benedict.

The end of the novitiate is also the start of a new section on the path of life which leads one closer and closer to Christ. The woman seeking God with her gifts and weaknesses, with all her faults and opportunities, will develop and grow under the unceasing impact of God's mercy in this chosen way of life.

He will complete what HE has started.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about our monastic life, please contact:
Sr. Theresia Lanfermann sr.theresia@benediktinerinnen-koeln.de or by telephone: 0221/937067- 0