About the Eucharistic Miracle in Saint Georgenbeg-Feicht Monastery:
The little village of St. Georgenberg-Fiecht, Austria and its Abbey, were well known and a place of pilgrimage even as early as the 12th century. However, because of a Eucharistic miracle that took place there in 1310, that popularity increased dramatically. During the Mass one day in 1310, the priest celebrating Mass was seized with doubts regarding the Real Presence of Jesus in the consecrated Elements. Right after the consecration, the wine changed into Blood and began to boil and overflow the chalice. The abbot and his monks, who happened to be in the choir, and the numerous pilgrims who were present at the celebration, approached the altar and realized what had happened. The priest, terrified, was unable to drink all the Holy Blood, and so the abbot placed the remainder in a vessel in the tabernacle of the main altar near the cloth with which the chalice was wiped. As soon as news of this miraculous event began to spread, more and more pilgrims began to arrive to adore the Sacred Blood.
In 1472 Bishop Georg von Brixen sent the abbot of Wilten, Joahannes Lösch, and the pastors, Sigmund Thaur and Kaspar of Absam, to better study the phenomenon. As a result of this investigation, the adoration of the Blessed Blood was encouraged, and the miracle was declared authentic. “Among the devotees were important Church personalities, like John, Bishop of Trieste; George, Bishop of Brixen; Rupert, Archbishop of Cologne and Duke of Bavaria; and Frederick, Bishop of Chiemsee.” In 1480, after 170 years, the Sacred Blood was “still fresh as though coming out of a wound,” wrote the chronicler of those days. The Precious Blood is preserved intact to this day and is contained in the reliquary in the Monastery of St. Georgenberg.
A second documentary tablet recounts how the relic of the Holy Blood helped preserve the Catholic faith during the Protestant schism: “When in 1593, the teachings of Luther were spreading everywhere in Tyrol, the monks of St. Georgenberg were asked to preach the faith everywhere. Abbot Michael Geisser was preaching with great success before a large crowd in the parish church of Schwaz and did not hesitate to recall the holy miracle of the Blood as proof of the existence of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. He was disputing in such a convincing way that the adversaries were obliged to leave the scene. This total victory against the false teaching was regarded by the believers as a special grace the Lord was granting His faithful, the adorers of the Precious Blood.”
Pilgrimages here had begun around 1100 AD and increased after the “blood miracle”. The main objects of veneration are Saint George, a Gothic Pietà sculpture from about 1415 AD and the reliquary of the Holy Blood. The present Baroque church, dedicated to Saints George and James, was built after the 1705 AD fire on the site and to the approximate ground plan of the old church. St. Georgenberg remained a place of pilgrimage even after the monks moved to the city in the valley below. The new building was finished in 1735 AD, with further alterations in 1863 (frescoes) and 1866. St Georgenberg is is a monastery of monks and belongs to the Benedictine Congregation of Sankt Ottilien and is the oldest shrine in Tyrol.
Pilgrims come to pray at the feet of the Sorrowful Mother, or to venerate the relic of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus which miraculously manifested itself in 1310. The Eucharist is celebrated daily at 3 pm, and also at 10.30 am on Sundays and Feast days (Check their website for any changes). A special highlight are the night pilgrimages on every 13th of the month from May to October, with an open air eucharist at 8.30 pm.
They look back at more than 1000 years of uninterrupted history, although it did burn down five times and had a few other disturbances. Resilience is their unofficial motto! Guests are welcome: the monastery has a small but comfortable guest house with 7 rooms, double and single. Their guests eat with the monastic community – mostly in silence – and are welcome to join their prayers. The rates are affordable. Upon request, counseling and retreats are possible. They speak English, French, Italian, Spanish, Suahili and various shades of German.
The Lindenkirche, a small church dedicated to Saint Mary, existed as a stone building from about 1230 and housed the Pietà until it was transferred to the larger rebuilt church of Saints George and James in 1736. Major changes to the building were made in 1759 and 1882, but its Romanesque porch is still intact.
Traveling to Saint Georgenberg-Feicht Monastery:
By foot: For pilgrims and hikers, three scenic trails lead to St Georgenberg, among them the spectacular Wolfsklamm, a gorge carved out of the mountain by the Stallenbach, a mountain stream. To provide access to the monastery without strenuous climbing, a bridge was constructed by the 15th century, and restored by 1709, after a fire. Its name is the Hohe Brücke (“high bridge”). When walking up from Stans, however, many pilgrims still take the route that leads through the romantic Wolfsklamm gorge.
By Car: The monastery cannot be reached by car. The closest parking is Parkplatz Weng above the village of Fiecht. From there you can reach it on foot in 40 minutes. The hike is pleasant and not very steep, except for the last 200 meters. Wear sensible shoes!
By air: The nearest airport is Innsbruck (IATA code INN) about 21 miles northeast of Saint Georgenberg.
By rail: The nearest railway stations are Stans and Schwaz for regional trains, and Jenbach for international trains. Taxis can take you to Parkplatz Weng. If you need transport all the way to the monastery, you should arrange your transport with them. Best way to contact them is via email.
Letters can be sent to: Benedikinerkloster St. Georgenberg, Georgenberg 181, 6135 Stans, Austria
Parcels should be sent to: Klosterverwaltung St. Georgenberg, Fiecht 4, 6134 Vomp.
Tel: +435-242-63786 Click to call
email: info@st-georgenberg.at.
Visit the official website of Saint Georgenberg-Feicht Abbey in Saint Georgenberg, Friecht, Austria.