Mariendonk Abbey (Grefrath)

The founding of Mariendonk Abbey at the end of the 19th century was a consequence of the Kulturkampf in Prussia. Following the dissolution of many monasteries by the 1875 law, which only exempted those dedicated to nursing, numerous communities relocated to the Netherlands. This included the sisters from Bonn-Endenich, who found a new home in Driebergen near Utrecht. The community grew steadily. After the end of the Kulturkampf, a donation from Johanna Stieger near Kempen enabled their return. In October 1900, the new prioress, Ursula Kleberg, moved into the monastery with 22 sisters. To secure their livelihood, a small agricultural operation was established, supplemented by embroidery and, from 1914, a host bakery. During World War II, the monastery remained open but had to provide parts of its premises for soldiers and later for refugees. In 1946, Felicitas Berg was elected prioress, under whose leadership the monastery was officially elevated to an abbey by the Vatican in 1948 and renamed Mariendonk. The name derives from a “Donk,” an elevated spot in marshy landscapes like the Niersaue. The church and crypt were consecrated in 1950 and made accessible to the public.