Evangelization and Pastoral Work

From the beginning our mission was primary evangelization. The old mission territories entrusted to the Missionary Benedictines have given rise to 11 dioceses. In some places primary evangelization continues to be an important task, also in Europe. The monasteries look after more than 50 parishes. According to the Benedictine tradition they maintain numerous guest houses as well as centers for retreats and conferences. Six publishing houses and several workshops for arts and crafts help to express the life of the church. Many monks serve as confessors, spiritual directors and retreat givers.

Education

Benedictines have had a mission in education since the early middle ages. Most of our monasteries maintain schools, covering kindergartens, primary and secondary schools,  vocational training centers and teacher training colleges. Scholarship programs provide access for poor children. Several monks teach at universities in Africa, Asia and Europe.

Health and Welfare

In Southern Tanzania our hospitals provide essential health care for an entire region and administer preventive programs for AIDS, Malaria and TB. Elsewhere we provide specialized health care, e.g. through Aids hospices, an eyeclinic, a psychiatric ambulance and other projects.

Missionary Benedictines maintain old age homes, orphanages, counselling centers for refugees and immigrants, day care centers for poor and neglected children.