Premonstratensian canonry

Vision of the Želiv Monastery

Saint John Paul II encouraged older religious orders not to be afraid to renew and adapt their mission in the modern world. It is therefore not surprising that although all Premonstratensians are united by the Rule of Saint Augustine, the pastoral character of the Order is expressed differently in each monastery, depending on local needs and culture. Here in Želiv, more than thirty years after the fall of communism, we are striving to place greater emphasis on the formation of our members for communal life. Many of our brothers are still engaged in pastoral ministry, which—due to the needs of the local churches—was prioritized after the revolution far more than is usual in monasteries untouched by religious persecution.

The Želiv Monastery is, in terms of its grounds, truly large. Our desire is for the buildings we have managed to restore—and continue to restore with the support of the government and the European Parliament—to be full of people. May the Želiv Monastery be a place of welcome, where people can encounter the essence of Christianity. We want to offer various courses, spiritual retreats, and seminars inspired by Christian spirituality to our region—programs that an ordinary parish cannot typically offer or organize due to its limited resources.

We long to create a network of Christians from different walks of life who can use their God-given gifts and with whom we can collaborate. We are fully aware that in today's modern society, we cannot function without laypeople. In mutual service, we aim to offer opportunities for Christian formation to people of all ages—from childhood to old age. Through cooperation with laypeople, parents, and other adult volunteers, we want to create a safe environment for all visitors who participate in the monastery's activities.