Castle Monastery De Bronckhorst - Velp

Here, on the edge of Velp, lies Castle Monastery Bronckhorst. Once a castle stood here; later it was taken over by Redemptoristine sisters from Bruges. They came here in 1858, in search of peace and a place to live and pray in silence.

The order of the Redemptoristines was a contemplative community living by the rule of Alphonsus of Liguori. Their days consisted of silence, prayer and labour. They followed the motto “Copiosa apud eum redemptio” – “With Him is plentiful redemption” – a phrase that summarised their faith in simplicity and devotion.

The monastery grew, under the direction of architect Theo Asseler (1823–1879), into a large complex with residential wings, a chapel and a walled garden. In that garden the sisters worked daily: they grew vegetables, cared for chickens and maintained everything with care. A Lourdes grotto was built, and Sister Gerarda planted a rose garden behind the former rectory. That rose garden has now been lovingly restored by the current residents and the Craft Centre.

Until 1990, nine sisters still lived here. That marked the end of more than a century of monastic life. Today, the monastery is inhabited and partly used as a quiet space and centre for craftsmanship.

Photo front view: CC0, Public domain
Photo with view: Jean Smeets BHIC 1907-005619