What is new on the website:

• Novena to St. Leopold <click here>

• Austrian Congregation <click here>

• Confederation of Canons Regular of St. Augustine <click here>

What is new at Klosterneuburg:

• The election of Provost Bernhard Backovsky as the new Abbot General of the Austrian Congregation.  His term is for five years.  See the Austrian Congregation page for further details.
   

• The unexpected death of one of our canons: Of your charity, please pray for the repose of the soul of the Reverend Dom Ferdinand Backovsky - brother of Provost Bernhard Backovsky, and pastor in Donaufeld. Please also pray for the consolation of the Provost and of the community of which Fr. Ferdinand was such a faithful member.

   

                   

X Requiescat in Pace Rev. Dom Ferdinand Backovsky   Received the habit at Klosterneuburg on 20 September, 1961. Solemn Profession on 20 September, 1965. Ordained a Priest of Jesus Christ on 27 March, 1967. Fr. Ferdinand was active as a curate in the Abbey's parishes in Donaufeld, Meidling, Vienna and Floridsdorf. Since 1983 Fr. Ferdinand was pastor of Donaufeld. In 1987 he was made dean of the 21st Vienna City Deanery. Fr. Ferdinand was named to the Archiepiscopal Advisory Board in 1997. Fr. Ferdinand died on 24 October, 2002 as a result of complications which ensued from a surgery.

The community received the remains of Dom Ferdinand on the evening of Tuesday October 29th following the celebration of the Office of Dead.  A solemn procession led the casket to the Brunnenhaus (fountain house) of the cloister, where daily the community prays for his eternal rest until the celebration of the Requiem Mass and internment on Tuesday November 5th.  

• Update on the Norwegian Parish:

  The Stiftsdechant (dean), Fr. Benno Anderlitschka, Fr. Markus Eidsvig and Fr. Alois Brodersen recently returned from Norway where they were finalizing plans for Stift Klosterneuburg to assume the pastoral care of the parish in Bergen in 2003.  This is a big step for the Stift since it is our first international undertaking.  Please pray for the success of this undertaking.
   

• November 1st, All Saints' Day begins with Lauds celebrated with the faithful in the Stift's church at 7:45 a.m..  The Dean offers the chapter Mass at 11:00, which is immediately followed by the celebration of the Office of Readings at noon in the sacellum.  At 2:30 the community according to a long Austrian tradition visits the upper and lower cemeteries to pray for the dead of Klosterneuburg as well as those members of the community buried in the town cemeteries.  The procession concludes with prayers for the deceased canons buried in our crypt under the chapel of St. Sebastian at the Stift. Also All Saints' Day marks the beginning of the choir mantle and biretta wearing season during Sunday Lauds and Vespers as well as Mass.  This continues until Easter.
   

• November 2nd, All Souls' Day begins with the celebration of Matins and Lauds at 7:20 a.m. followed by the Propst's offering of the Requiem Mass with full pontificals.  While he offers this Mass for the deceased Provosts of the Klosterneuburg, the Dean offers the Mass for the deceased canons, and others offer the Mass for deceased benefactors, deceased parents of the canons and for the deceased of the Confederation Houses.  At 12:15 the community celebrates Sext and at 6:30 p.m. the community offers Vespers, followed by Compline.