The last major site in my multi-year pilgrimage was Beuron, a small town nestled in the Obere Donau National Park and known for its historic Benedictine monastery.
Throughout her adult life, Stein came here on personal retreats, seeking time for prayer and contemplation. Following in Stein’s footsteps, when Karneval festivities finally came to a close in Cologne, I booked a trip to Beuron for a week of work and relaxation.
Stein was largely drawn to Beuron because of its monastery. When she came to visit, she took pride in being able to live “like a real monk,” as she wrote one friend (ESGA letter 198).
The monastery remembers its connection with St. Edith Stein with a small plaque located in the chapel courtyard. In addition to spending some time studying this plaque, I visited the chapel both during and outside of worship services.
And while Stein found meaning in taking part in the monastery lifestyle, I enjoyed stepping outside and experiencing the nature outside of the monastery walls. While in Beuron, I went on multiple hikes that started and ended at the monastery – some of the trails are part of larger pilgrimage routes.
Europe with Edith 