Fischbachau (dpa / lby) – The Order of the Poor School Sisters is leaving the Upper Bavarian pilgrimage site of Birkenstein. The reason: the congregation has fewer and fewer members. “We very much regret that we have to give up this place of grace after 173 years,” said provincial superior M. Monika Schmidt, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Munich-Freising on Tuesday.
The Archdiocese very much regrets the departure of the Poor School Sisters from Birkenstein, said Vicar General Christoph Klingen. “Your long and blessed work has made Birkenstein the special and lively spiritual place it is today and which many people come to when they are worried and in need or out of gratitude.” The Archdiocese is already in talks with another religious community interested in settling in Birkenstein.
The pilgrimage church in Birkenstein near Fischbachau (Miesbach district) was built in 1710. In the center is a Marian image from the 15th century.
