St. Ottilien Archabbey

His vision of combining the Benedictine way of life with engagement in the Christian mission field had proved impossible to realise within the Beuronese Congregation, and for that reason he sought to found a new and independent group.

After an initial foundation in Reichenbach in the district of Cham in 1884, the community moved to Emming in 1887, where the monastery took its name from the already existing chapel of Saint Ottilia.

In 1886/1887 the adjunct Rhabanus-Maurus-Gymnasium St. Ottilien was founded as a school for young Benedictine monks and the first group of missionaries were sent to Africa the same year.

Both institutions still keep close ties as a part of the administration and teaching staff of the school is held by Benedictine monks.

Over the years St. Ottilien has added many new facilities: a school (the Rhabanus Maurus Gymnasium), retreat- and guest-houses, a publishing house, workshops and buildings for farming and horticulture.