Meeting the new neighbours has to wait

The buildings behind the Holy Cross Priory (Kloster Heiligkreuz) in Lindencham are coming to life. But the sisters are currently avoiding contact with the outside world.

Only Tinka is leaving the priory walls during the last days and weeks. The cat belonging to the Heiligkreuz priory in Lindencham does this often and extensively, notices the prioress, Simone Buchs. And there’s a lot to see, with new neighbours constantly moving in. Apart from the completion of the surrounding area, the ‘Klosterlaube’ (priory arcade/arbour), with 83 apartments, has been completed after around two years of construction. The sisters were looking forward to the new life there, and to meeting the newcomers. For well-known reasons, however, they currently have to do without human closeness. "It is a long-distance relationship," says the prioress, clearly expressing the situation.

From a safe distance, the sisters are taking note of the new life on the balconies and enjoying the view of the new buildings with their wooden facades. "They are beautiful and fit so incredibly harmoniously into the ensemble with the agricultural buildings and the economic building of the monastery," enthuses Simone Buchs. The development will help the sisters to remain in Lindencham. Because the priory will be maintained through the fixed interest on the ground, which the priory has assigned under building law.

The prioress doesn't want to "play the policeman"
The 60-member community also has to go without togetherness within the walls, especially as, when it comes to infection with the corona virus, almost all members of the order there are in a risk group for reasons of age. This means that they no longer shake hands with each other and that they have to maintain the necessary distance between each other in the chapel and the dining room, explains Simone Buchs. And what if, without thinking about it, there is a human contact? "Of course that can happen," says the prioress, "and I don't want to play the police officer." So far, however, they have managed to keep the virus outside the priory walls, despite contacts with the outside world: when deliveries are received or when workers enter the institution, which was built in 1862. They have to wear masks and gloves, and this also applies to the employees, says Simone Buchs.

The residents of the 83 apartments are moving into the ‘Klosterlaube’.

In addition, there is also a ban on visits, and therefore also no more public masses. Nevertheless, unlike the Menzingen sisters, the Lindencham sisters can still hold the daily Eucharistic celebration, i.e. the mass. This is because the priest also lives on the priory grounds. The prioress explains: “The Eucharist is the daily central encounter with God. It would be particularly difficult to have to do without it.” Because of the corona virus, however, there is a change in the process: the sacramental wine is no longer drunk from the goblet.

Meanwhile, nature knows no restrictions, and is currently awakening to new life in the spring. The prioress and her fellow sisters are happy to see everything start flowering. The construction work of the past two years also included the creation of a circular path in the monastery garden, which can also be used by wheelchairs and walker frames. The sisters are currently taking walks there to get some fresh air, despite the isolation they have imposed upon themselves. "The beauty of the blossoming nature contrasts sharply with the peculiar atmosphere that prevails due to the virus," is how Simone Buchs expresses her deeper thoughts. She frankly says that the current situation is worrying her.

“I can't just say that everything will be fine. But I can say that we feel well supported by God, even in this situation.”

The Heiligkreuz sisters don't just think of themselves, of course,. They pray daily for everyone affected by the coronavirus. The Liturgical Institute has published a special prayer for it, which can be also found on the website www.kloster-heiligkreuz.ch.

The Way of the Cross has been cancelled this year
Easter, the highest festival in the church year, will also take place in camera in the Heiligkreuz Priory. The Way of the Cross prayer on Good Friday prayer, which always been well attended according to Prioress Simone Buchs, has had to been cancelled. "It's really sad," says Buchs. The fact that the Vatican has even suspended the so-called Easter Duty shows how great the risk from the virus is. This ‘duty’ means making confession and receiving communion at least once during the Easter period. According to business manager Thomas Odermatt, no services are currently being celebrated together with the Sisters of the Holy Cross in Menzingen. Self-help is necessary, with specially arranged word services that are broadcast internally. Online services or offers from radio and TV are also used, but this is not an easy situation for the sisters.