Despite a general lack of young people in the Catholic orders, the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising has found a new religious order to look after the Upper Bavarian pilgrimage site of Birkenstein near Fischbachau in the Miesbach district after a long search. Since last October the last three poor school sisters left the Marian pilgrimage site at the foot of the Breitenstein due to old age, four missionary sisters from Gars are to look after the pilgrims from mid-April.
The pilgrimage to Birkenstein is particularly important for the Bavarian Oberland and neighboring Tyrol. Every year on Ascension Day, up to 2,000 people wear traditional costumes. The diocese is taking responsibility for the monastery buildings in Breitenstein and, according to a statement on Thursday, is considering building an additional retreat house.