In a heartwarming yet defiant act, three elderly Austrian nuns – Sister Bernadette, 88, Sister Regina, 86, and Sister Rita, 82 – have captured global attention after escaping their aged care home to return to their former convent at Goldenstein Castle near Salzburg.
The trio, homesick for the place they called home for over six decades, orchestrated a bold return to the abandoned convent, which they were forced to leave in 2023.
The nuns, who once taught at the convent’s girls’ school, were relocated to an aged care facility when the convent community dwindled, leading to its closure. Despite claims from the nuns that they were promised lifelong residency at Goldenstein Castle, they found themselves uprooted.
Feeling out of place in the care home, the sisters took matters into their own hands. With the help of former students and a locksmith, they regained access to the semi-derelict building, which initially lacked electricity and running water.
“I am so pleased to be home,” Sister Rita told the BBC. “I was always homesick at the care home. I am so happy and thankful to be back.” Sister Bernadette echoed this sentiment, noting that while she had been obedient her entire life, the move to the care home was “too much” to bear.
The nuns’ return has not been without challenges. The convent was in disrepair, with no basic amenities. Former students stepped in to organise water and emergency generators, and electricity and hot water have since been restored to parts of the building.
A family doctor is also on hand to provide medical care. Despite these hardships, the sisters are determined to stay, even navigating the convent’s stairs without a stairlift, which they say was removed.
The local church, however, has expressed disapproval. Provost Markus Grasl, representing Reichersberg Abbey, which oversees the convent, called the nuns’ actions “completely incomprehensible.”
He argued that the convent’s rooms are unfit for habitation and do not meet the standards for proper care, especially given the sisters’ fragile health. Grasl also stated that the nuns had been part of discussions about their future, but the church believes independent living at Goldenstein Castle is no longer feasible.
A spokesperson for the abbey told Austrian broadcaster ORF that returning to the aged care home is “unavoidable.”
Undeterred, the nuns have taken to social media to prove they can manage independently. Since early September, their Instagram account has amassed over 11,000 followers.
The sisters share videos of their daily routines: praying, cooking, cleaning, and attending mass, demonstrating their resilience. In one clip, Sister Bernadette is seen tackling a blocked sink, showcasing their determination to maintain their home. The account has also drawn media attention from around the world, amplifying their story.
The nuns’ defiance stems from a long-standing dispute with the Archdiocese of Salzburg and Provost Grasl, which escalated after their forced removal in 2023. The sisters have publicly criticised the church’s handling of the situation, alleging their rights to remain at the convent were ignored.
Sister Bernadette’s resolve is unwavering: “Before I die in that old people’s home, I would rather go to a meadow and enter eternity that way,” she told the BBC.
While their long-term future at Goldenstein Castle remains uncertain, the nuns are steadfast in their refusal to return to the aged care home.
Supported by their community and newfound social media fame, they are determined to spend their remaining years in the place they hold dear. Their story, reminiscent of the rebellious spirit of Maria in The Sound of Music, is a testament to the power of home and the strength of conviction, even in the face of adversity.
