About us
Guided by Faith and Generosity
Since the Congregation of Windesheim was reestablished in 1961 at the request of Abbot Commissioner Karl Egger, a group from the German-speaking area began their community life in a small house near Rome. During that time, plans were made to construct a large monastery and chapel dedicated in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen. Abbot Karl established a construction company with Engineer Daneo to build the monastery, funded by 1,000 Swiss francs donated by Msgr. Adam, the bishop of Sitten (Switzerland). Construction began slowly and modestly under the supervision of Engineer Daneo, who created the blueprints for the monastery. The plan included a monastery with four sections, one intended to be a chapel.
On March 25, 1963, the brothers began to actively participate in the life of the political community as priests and parish priests. The holy Masses were celebrated by the brothers in the family chapel of the Daneo family, whether the Holy Mass was led by Abbot Karl or another close priest from Rome. A group of five young men lived with Abbot Karl in great poverty. “On Saturdays and Sundays, we did not worry, but from Monday to Friday, Abbot Karl struggled to earn money so that we could survive and pay the workers in our monastery.” (Excerpt from a brother's will)
Sacred Heritage
Rooted in centuries of faith, this is a place where tradition meets spiritual renewal.
Peaceful Sanctuary
Find solace and reflection amidst serene surroundings and divine grace.
Community Spirit
Experience a welcoming community united by shared faith and a commitment to service.
Timeless Inspiration
A beacon of hope and devotion, inspiring generations through prayer and purpose.
Dreams Halted by Financial Struggles
In August, the brothers spent time at the Hohenpeißenberg Monastery in Oberbayern (Germany) due to the extreme heat and during the winter days of 1963-1964 as guests at the monastery of the German Order. As guests, they lived in a garage, which was certainly a better option than the small house they had been living in.
A year later (October 3, 1964), the construction of the first part of the monastery was completed, which was actually only supposed to be the entrance to the monastery. Later, it functioned as a novitiate house, a training facility for young candidates who wanted to be part of the Congregation of Windesheim. Unfortunately, the other parts of the monastic building were never constructed due to the significant financial problems the Abbey faced. However, in the following years, there was a need for a large church and the establishment of a parish because the number of Catholics had significantly increased. The idea was to construct a church that could accommodate 1,000 people to celebrate the Holy Mass together. Through donations from generous individuals, the church gained its final appearance with a length of 54 meters and a width of 24 meters. In fact, the land on which the brothers lived, along with the monastery and the large church, was to become the spiritual center of Tor Lupara.
Hope Amidst Challenges
The church's construction was supervised by then-Abbot Dieter Kanduth, who also managed the distribution of funds from all over the world. The community thrived once again in a new light. Although the brothers testified that during times of poverty, they lived happy lives, the construction of the new church awakened hope in them and provided new perspectives. In 1974, some brothers went to Paring (Germany) to revive the old monastery there. The brothers who remained at Abbey Maria Regina cared for the surroundings, studied, and performed pastoral activities in Tor Lupara. The consecration of the church was planned for June 1, 1986, by Pope John Paul II, but due to rising material costs, it was not yet completed, thus delaying the consecration by two years.
Built on Generosity
From the hands of donors to the hearts of believers, our story is one of unwavering support and shared purpose.
Rooted in Faith
Discover the enduring legacy of devotion that has guided our community through triumphs and trials since its humble beginnings.
Resilient Through Adversity
Despite challenges and setbacks, our faith remains strong, inspiring a future of hope and restoration for all.
A Tragic Turn of Events
Unfortunately, on October 26, 1988, before the consecration of the church, a major fire broke out that engulfed the church under construction. This event significantly marked the life and financial stability of the Abbey. Following this event were long years of legal battles, significant financial expenses, and debts—a struggle for survival.
The last Superior to the Abbey, Don Olivier Deysine, also tried to rescue the Abbey. In cooperation with the political community, Don Olivier sought ways to restore the abbey for the good of the order and the political community. His ideas were not realized during his lifetime, as he left this world suffering from a serious illness at the age of 61.
Currently, the Abbey has three members who reside in other monasteries of the Congregation. The efforts to bring the Abbey to life continue.
Connect With Us – Let Faith Guide the Way
Have questions, need guidance, or wish to contribute to our mission? We’re here to listen and support you on your spiritual journey. Together, we can build something extraordinary.
Donation
Your generosity makes a difference. With your support, you help us rebuild the Abbazia Maria Regina and fulfill our mission. Together, we create a place of hope and faith.
- donazioni@maria-regina.it
Vocations
Do you feel called? Learn more about life in our community and discover your vocation. We are here to guide and support you every step of the way.
- vocazioni@maria-regina.it
General contact
Do you have questions or need more information? Our team is always here for you. Let us work together toward a vibrant future for the Abbazia Maria Regina.
- abbazia@maria-regina.it
