Trip to Visit the Gypsy Children
April 25–30, 2026
As always, the “Cologne Speedster” was loaded to the brim with donations. After Father Basilius gave us his blessing for the journey, Mr. Lingenthal and I set off (592 km). The trip went very smoothly, with perfect weather and no traffic jams. Our destination for the day was Neuhaus am Inn, and we arrived there safely…but then there was a small problem…there weren’t two rooms available for the night (even though they had been booked), but only one…so Mr. Lingenthal slept in the “Kölner Flitzer.” On Sunday at 5:30 a.m., we continued on toward Austria…because at that time, the border posts aren’t staffed yet. It was sunny again, the roads were clear, and we drove to Heiligenkreuz Abbey (256 km) for Holy Mass. I would have loved to stop by the monastery shop after the service—but when you’re traveling with men…you hardly have a chance for something like that…and that’s exactly how it was this Sunday. We drove on from Heiligenkreuz Abbey to Liptovský Mikuláš in the High Tatras (376 km). Early Monday morning, we set off again on our journey to Košice, the place Pope Francis visited in 2021. There, our interpreter Rado was waiting for us to drive together to the Caritas Center (65 km) in beautiful sunshine. Children and their mothers can come to the Caritas Center every day. They receive plenty of water and meals. The children who are not yet in school receive social guidance and are very well cared for. The children live with their families just about 100 meters from the center. The chapel was built by the Benedictines and their circle of friends right in the middle of the camp. Brother Lukas (+March 2026) designed it using his artistic talent. After visiting the chapel, all the children, of course, received a small treat again. I have rarely seen so much filth and poverty—but never, as always, so many grateful children. Unfortunately, the Benedictines from Maria Laach can no longer continue to be involved due to their age. But my benefactors in Cochem—to whom I am infinitely grateful—and I want to continue supporting this mission, even if it is more difficult for me from Berlin. But I think—it is in the spirit of our founder, whose 150th anniversary of his death we are commemorating this year—that solutions will be found. For whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me! Mt. 25:40
Sister Felicitas