Interview with the Abbot of Abbey Stift Heiligenkreuz

[BarbaraTherese]

An interesting and thought provoking interview.

en.epochtimes.com/n2/arts-entertainment/abbey-inteview-part-ii-of-ii-4367.html

Abbot Gregor Henckel von Donnersmarck

**—Abbot with the Golden Hands **

Interview with the Abbot of Abbey Stift Heiligenkreuz

By Florian Godovits
Epoch Times Germany Staff

The Abbey is a Cistercian monastery. Cistercian monks are members of a Roman Catholic religious order. The monks are also called the White Monks because of the white habit worn by them. The habit is covered with a black, floor length scapular. Cistercian monks are cloistered monks. They follow the precepts of St. Benedict, which require that the monks live in seclusion, having abandoned worldly attachments.
The Abbey is also known as the place where Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, the Abbot’s nephew, created his screenplay, Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others). He lived in seclusion at the abbey, with minimal worldly conveniences. The film won the European Film Award for “Best Film” and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association’s Award for “Best Foreign Film”. In 2007 the film also won the Academy Award for “Best Foreign Language Film”.
The abbot readily admits that in spite of being a “poor sinner”, he was given the attributes of articulate speech and charisma. Before he shed the mantel of worldly garb and entered the confines of the Abbey, he had been a successful manager at an international logistics firm. He is able to hold his own in conversation about ordinary worldly matters, as well those pertinent to abbey affairs.

 

[Dale_M]

I had no idea that the screenplay for The Lives of Others was written in a monastery!

Abbot Henckel has an interesting viewpoint. Given his opinion about an impending demographic implosion in Europe, I was disappointed that he asked asked about the future of his monastery, of the Cistercian order in Europe and of Christianity in Europe.

I was surprised that his monastery kept silence. I thought the Cistercians had done away with that. Could it be a rule specific to Abbey Stift Heiligenkreuz?

 

[BarbaraTherese]

I had no idea that the screenplay for The Lives of Others was written in a monastery!

Abbot Henckel has an interesting viewpoint. Given his opinion about an impending demographic implosion in Europe, I was disappointed that he asked asked about the future of his monastery, of the Cistercian order in Europe and of Christianity in Europe.

I was surprised that his monastery kept silence. I thought the Cistercians had done away with that. Could it be a rule specific to Abbey Stift Heiligenkreuz?

I can’t be of help to you Dale on the points you have raised - I dont know much about the Cistercian Order at all. I posted the article, because I though, like you, he had an interesting viewpoint to share.
Hope someone will answer you re the Cistercians.

Blessings and regards…Barb