"In early December, the mood was contemplative, a sharp contrast to the hubbub here earlier this year. On this occasion, there were no jostling journalists, no opportunistic influencers and no sign of the Hollywood scriptwriter looking to buy the rights to a story that has resonated around the world. Just three octogenarian nuns sitting in quiet prayer. As of this week, the sisters say they are retreating from social media until further notice."
"Peering over her spectacles with raised eyebrows, she explained that one prayer was proving particularly arduous. "We continue to pray for the provost," Sister Bernadette declared. "In fact, we prayed for him with every rosary for six weeks nonstop, but it got so exhausting we decided to save our litany for him for weekly Mass." The provost in their prayers is Markus Grasl, the nuns' superior at the local abbey."
The convent chapel at Schloss Goldenstein is candlelit and set for Advent against snow-capped Alpine peaks. Three octogenarian nuns — Sisters Rita, Regina and Bernadette — announced a retreat from social media in response to a Vatican request to spend Advent and Christmas in inner peace and reflection. The nuns had earlier fled a care home they say Provost Markus Grasl sent them to against their will and broke back into the convent with Austria's largest tabloid. Grasl accused them of breaking vows but permitted their return only if they relinquished social media, press contact and legal counsel. The nuns rejected the condition as a gag order.
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