Arnstein Abbey

Arnstein Abbey is a former Premonstratensian abbey on the River Lahn, south of Obernhof near Nassau. Today it is a convent of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary ( SSCC), which is known under the name Arnstein Fathers in Germany and there runs a youth center.

History

The history of the monastery dates back to the second half of the 11th century: in 1052 is a castle Arnstein on the Lahn first mentioned as the seat of the Counts of Arnstein. This is the earliest mention of a castle on this river at all. From this plant can be found no trace today.

1139 transformed Ludwig III. , The last Count of Arnstein, his castle into a Premonstratensian monastery, and stood there even one. His wife lived until her death as a recluse in the vicinity of the monastery. In the same year, the partial demolition of the castle began. 1145 confirmed King Conrad III. the abbey as rich immediately. Since 1236 there was also a branch monastery under the patronage of Count Nassau or royal house, the Keppel to Hilchenbach. 1360 the church was completed. In their individual components are included, which can be dated to the 12th century.

From 1140 to 1478 the Palatine village boys home belonged to the monastery of Arnstein, the 1163, was built by his cleric Geoffrey of Beselich, the present St. Peter's Church there, which is the oldest Romanesque village church of the Palatinate.

With the passage of the Prince of Nassau to Protestantism, the abbey imputed under their abbot Peter Marmagen († 1604) the auspices of the Archbishopric of Trier. 1803, the monastery was dissolved during the secularisation. The secular rule fell to the Duchy of Nassau, the ecclesiastical jurisdiction thus to the newly founded diocese of Limburg. 1817 sold the Nassau government church and monastery on demolition, ie with the proviso that the building would not be used in church.

From 1869 to 1871 settled in Arnstein briefly a Benedictine priory of the Congregation Beuronese under Placidus Wolter, but was closed again due to lack of young and dilapidation of the facility.

In 1919 came the establishment of the first Covenant of Arnstein Fathers in Germany. The Superior and Vice-Provincial Father Alfonso Spix in 1942 was condemned by the Nazis because he had repeatedly participate Polish forced laborers at the church service and she had boarded. He died in the Dachau concentration camp. Father Chrysostom Lauenroth was convicted in 1936 for alleged currency violations to a prison sentence.

Since 1924, a Sacred Heart pilgrimage has arisen, which attracts many pilgrims every year.

People

• Friedrich von floor home (1462-1528), Vogt of the monastery