The General Councillor, Brother Rudolf Knopp, conducted the General Canonical Visitation to the Austrian Province and its three Delegations (Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary) from 20 March to 3 June 2017. The Prior General, Brother Jesús Etayo, attended the official closure which took place on 4-9 June.

The Visitation

First of all, Brother Rudolf Knopp visited the Delegations of Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary. At Brno (Czech Republic), he was able to take part in the Solemn Profession of Brother Lukas, an event of great joy for the Delegation. After the Holy Week break, the Visitation continued in the Communities and Centres in Austria. In Salzburg, the Visitor was able to join the Pastoral Council in a meditation in preparation for Pentecost. Thanks to its long history, the Austrian Province is very solidly established. But even in Austria, the changes taking place in the health and social care services are posing a great challenge to the Order and to its future.

Visit by the Prior General to selected Centres

On Pentecost Sunday, the Prior General, Brother Jesús Etayo, travelled to Vienna accompanied by Mr Klaus Mutschlechner from the General Curia. Accompanied by Brother Rudolf and the Provincial, Brother Joachim, they first visited Hungary where they were briefed on the major project for the restructuring the hospital at Budapest which will begin shortly. The next stage was a visit to the long-stay hospital at Vác. On the way back to Austria, the group visited the Order’s hospitals at St. Veit and Klagenfurt, where the Prior General celebrated Mass attended by the personnel of both hospitals, in the Chapel of the Sisters of Saint Elizabeth who, for many years, have worked very closely with the Order.

Closure of the Canonical Visitation

The closure of the Canonical Visitation took place on 8 June in Vienna with a Provincial Assembly and a Solemn Eucharist at which the Prior General presided. On 9 June, the Prior General and Brother Rudolf Knopp met the Provincial Council for the final evaluation.

In his concluding report, Brother Rudolf Knopp emphasised the importance of all the phases of initial formation. He likewise urged the Brothers and Co-workers to cooperate more closely with the Bavarian Province. Lastly, the Prior General and Brother Rudolf expressed the hope that the suggestions and conclusions reached at the end of the Visitation would be taken into due account when preparing for the 2018 Provincial Chapter.

The Visitation ended with words of sincere gratitude to the Austrian Province for its support for the Order’s Centres in India over many years.

For more information on the Province and its Delegations:

Austria:                       www.barmherzige-brueder.at

                                     www.facebook.com/BB.Austria

Slovakia:                     www.milosrni.eu

Czech Republic:         www.milosrni.cz

                                     www.facebook.com/milosrdni

Hungary:                     www.irgalmasrend.hu