Yesterday we accompanied most of the other ITI student/faculty body on a pilgrimage to the nearby Cistercian monastery of Heiligenkreuz (Holy Cross), founded in 1133 by St. Leopold III. The monastery has a relic of the Cross of Christ; the largest relic north of the Alps. On the Sunday after the 14th of September (the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross), there is a big celebration there with a solemn Holy Mass and procession. Afterwards there is a chance to venerate this precious relic. Heiligenkreuz is an international place of pilgrimage, and on this special feast it has been a decades-old tradition to travel to the monastery and venerate the relic of the cross of Christ. Many students left at 7:30am to hike the 7 hour walk, Andrew included, and us mothers and children took a van later in the afternoon.
It was a beautiful day for a walking pilgrimage...the ITI group walked through corn fields and vineyards.
And up over a hill to lookout over the valley.
Stopping for lunch and a game of Frisbee.
Arriving at the monastery entrance.
Mass was beautiful with the monks chanting and an orchestra performing a Mozart orchestral Mass. After the brief procession around the courtyard, we venerated the relic of the true cross. How remarkable to touch our lips to that precious wood!
Waiting for departure back to campus and Mama Baby Steele really starting to look big at 33 weeks!
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