A historic house, the Fransiskus house
The history of the Fransiskus house
In the year 2008, the St. Francis sisters left the country. A year later the monastery got new sisters, and this time from an order called St. Maryʼs. At that time the buildings of the monastery where in a pretty bad shape so another house and a small wooden house was bought for the new sisters. The sisters, however, pray every day at the chapel which is located inside the building, and this makes the centre very unique. The Diocese prepared a project for a Spiritual and Pastoral Centre for the Diocese of Reykjavík. The renovation of the monastery and kindergarten began in 2012 and it was finished in March 2016. At the end of this project we would like to thank our many benefactors, who have made this possible, especially Bonifatiuswerk of the German Catholics, Diaspora-Kommissariat of the German Bishops, Archdiocese of Paderborn, Archdiocese of Cologne, Diocese of Münster, Diocese of Rottenburg/Stuttgart, Tritan Foundation, Victorinox, Diocesan Tribunal of Vechta, Archdiocese of Munich-Freising, as well as other sponsors, including Icelanders who have made their contribution too.
So when you come and visit you can join the sisters in the chapel or spend some time there. The chapel is always open up to everyone who wants to visit.
The Bonifatiuswerk has existed since 1849 and considers itself an aid organization for the faith. It is commissioned by the German Bishopsʼ Conference with the promotion of the pastoral care in the Diaspora. This charity organization based in Paderborn supports about 900 projects every year for Catholics who live scattered as a minority among people of other faiths and non-believers – mainly in Eastern and Northern Germany, Northern Europe, Estonia and Latvia.
The organization supports the construction and renovation of churches and community centres, youth and educational centres, Catholic schools and kindergartens. With its transport assistance, particularly with the bright-yellow “BONI buses”, the organization improves the mobility of Catholic Christians in large and scattered parishes. The Bonifatiuswerk supports with its child and youth welfare projects the passing on of the faith (e.g. Religious Children Weeks (RKW) and youth camps). It also contributes to social and charitable initiatives such as outpatient childrenʼs hospice services and projects for street children.
By funding staff the Bonifatiuswerk is involved with a new missionary pastoral program in the Diaspora. In the spirit of its original assignment, to be a “Mission for Germany”, the Bonifatiuswerk through its missionary initiatives, such as the “Santa Claus Free Zone”, brings First Communion and Confirmation materials for the practical evangelization nationwide throughout Germany. Intensive campaigning and educational work should help to convey and strengthen the faith and knowledge of the faith. In the Bonifatius-Internship program young Catholics from Germany learn to know the Catholic Church in Scandinavia better.
All grants are provided as an assistance to self-help and are connected to each project. The Bonifatiuswerk is almost entirely funded by donations, collections and endowments. Therefore, in its work it is always dependent upon the assistance of donors and benefactors. Only in this way the organization can be true to its motto: “No one should believe alone.”