Verein BENEDIKT be-WEG-t Oberösterreich

The association aims at "the non-profit establishment, further development, preservation, and management of the Benedictine Way as a pilgrimage route in Upper Austria." The spiritual path connects the many vibrant monasteries, starting from Passau (Paulinerkloster Mariahilf) (or in the opposite direction) initially along the Danube (Engelszell, Pupping, Wilhering), then Lambach, Steinerkirchen on the Traun, Kremsmünster, and Schlierbach. In Spital am Pyhrn (former collegiate foundation), it connects to the "original path" of the now European pilgrimage route over Admont and Seckau to the Benedictine monastery of St. Paul in Lavanttal. The monasteries and other places of rest offer many special features. With the "Benedict Pilgrim Circular Route Traunviertel," a variant leads from Bad Hall or Traun over Stift St. Florian. Activities for the Benedict Pilgrim Way, as well as other measures, are intended to reinforce the connection with the teachings of St. Benedict. The volunteer association aims to support its members in spiritual, cultural, and organizational aspects in the spirit of the ideals of the Benedictine Order and its monasteries. Its activities are therefore not profit-oriented in any way.

Benedict of Nursia (480 — 547) Benedict of Nursia, the father and (main) patron of Europe, is regarded as the founder of Western monasticism and the Benedictine Order. "Ora et labora et lege," these three practices of life essentially shape and characterize the "school" of St. Benedict. Prayer and worship, work and continuous engagement with biblical texts and those of the Church Fathers form a unity in the Benedictine understanding of life.

History of the Benedict Pilgrimage Route: In 2009, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the resettlement of the Benedictine monastery of St. Paul in Lavanttal, a pilgrimage route was established along the path of the monks of that time, named after St. Benedict of Nursia. It is a way of encounter and movement in many respects: Those who walk it are meant to find peace and inner reflection, experience community and hospitality, but also feel transformation and learn to perceive creation more consciously. This "original path" leads from Spital am Pyhrn to St. Paul in Lavanttal or in the opposite direction. In 2011, it was extended to Gornji Grad (Slovenia) and in 2018 to Aquileia (Italy). From there, it proceeds over existing Italian pilgrimage routes (Romea Strata, Via Germanica, Franciscan Way) and the simultaneously established “Cammino di San Benedetto” from Nursia via Subiaco to Montecassino. By early 2026, the Benedict pilgrimage route was also developed for 18 stages in Scotland in both directions and extended by about 450 km from Edinburgh to Pluscarden, the northernmost Benedictine monastery in Europe, in both directions. There are plans to complete the pilgrimage route continuously by 2029 for the grand 1,500th anniversary of the founding of the monastery of Montecassino by St. Benedict.