Mindfully on the way on Styria’s pilgrimage routes
at the House of Women in St. Johann bei Herberstein
On the journey to oneself. Trustfully putting oneself in the hands of God. Experiencing nature with all one's senses. That’s the spirit of a pilgrim’s journey. Curious? Then be on your way with one of our experienced guides and give it a try!
Highlights:
- Guided pilgrimage to Maria Fieberbründl (favourite East Styrian pilgrimage destination) with pilgrimage church, healing water spring and open-air inhalatorium according to the teachings of Kneipp
- Spiritual impulses & mindfulness exercises – to take with you & to try at home
- Pure deceleration – arrive in the here & now
- Delicious finish with a 3-course meal
The pilgrimage is a 3-hour hike on easily walkable hiking and forest paths including some sections that lead along roads. It’s an easy hike that doesn’t require a high level of fitness (view the attached route profile). The experience is also explicitly open to all gender identities.
What do bring with you
Everything that you need for the hike including a drinking bottle. We will embark on the hike in almost all weather conditions so please be mindful of rain protection. Pets are unfortunately not permitted. Please keep in mind that we will hike through forests so don’t forget about protection for your clothes as well as the tick-borne encephalitis vaccination
Included
- Introduction to and interesting facts about pilgrimages (What is the difference between a hike and a pilgrimage? What are the motives? What are wayside crosses for? etc.)
- Guided pilgrimage with spiritual impulses and mindfulness exercises
- Hiking from the Kirchenriegl in St. Johann/Herberstein to Maria Fieberbründl and back
- Historic background of the pilgrimage site
- Short prayer in Maria Fieberbründl
- Visit to the open-air inhalatorium
- Last stop at the House of Women with a regional & seasonal 3-course meal
Not included
Snacks during the pilgrimage have to be provided by the participants themselves and are not included in the experience. The pilgrims will be greeted with a welcome drink and receive a 3-course meal at the end. Optionally, a packed lunch can be booked for € 9,50 per person. Overnight stays are possible in the House of Women but need to be reserved in due time.
Participants
The pilgrimage experience can be booked from 3 to 16 participants.
Further important informations
Meeting point: 8.15 a.m. at the House of Women – Education, Spirituality and Quite Time, 8222 Feistritztal, St. Johann bei Herberstein 7
On arrival, please register at the reception, choose your preferred lunch option and settle your bill. The house, a former monastery and nowadays a diocesan centre for education, has a traditional square courtyard and is situated in front of the church.
Guided tours in German or English possible.
Detailled tour description
We’ll meet in the morning in the House of Women – Education, Spiritualtiy and Quiet Time, an educational centre of the catholic church, situated on a hill with a wonderful view in the middle of the paradisical ApfelLand. Here we will start our pilgrimage to Maria Fieberbründl, a very popular pilgrimage destination in Eastern Styria. We’ll hike along a river and immerse ourselves in forests and meadows. During the pilgrimage we’ll take time for spiritual impulses, practice mindfulness and go on a journey to ourselves. After a short stop in Maria Fieberbründl, where we will visit the pilgrimage church, sample the healing waters and visit the open-air inhalatorium in the forest, we will return to the House of Women. After a spiritual conclusion, we enjoy a well-deserved lunch - seasonal, regional & handcrafted by the women powered house kitchen team.
The House of Women, currently with the official name affix "Education, Spirituality, Quiet Time", has existed for 41 years. It was founded to offer women a retreat for recovery, for recuperation, especially for difficult life situations such as after illnesses and bereavements. Nowadays, the education centre of the diocese Graz-Seckau and unique clerical place with the core objective “from women to women” is open to everyone.
The pilgrimage church Maria Fieberbründl is run by Capuchin monks. According to lore, there used to live a hermit in a hut on the site of the church who worshipped a statue of the Virgin Mary. Sick people came for prayer and to drink from the healing well. Every year the number of pilgrims increased. In 1879 a chapel was finally erected, 15 years later a prayer hall followed and in 1994 an organ with 17 stops was installed. The healing waters are said to relieve fevers and are beneficial for eyes. The well is where the name “Maria Fieberbründl” (Maria Fever Well) derives.
Tickets:
Adults: € 65 per person (3 – 10 participants)
Adults: € 59 per person (11 – 16 participants)
Minimum of 3 participants required
Exclusive bookings: € 95 per person (1-2 participants)
Optional available:
Packed lunch: € 9,50 per person
Overnight stay (1 night) at the House of Women: € 51(with breakfast in a single room) plus € 2,50 local tax
Overnight stay (2 nights or more) at the House of Women: € 43 (price per night, with breakfast in a single room) plus € 2,50 local tax
Half and full board only on request!
Tickets can be booked from June to the 5th of October, only on Thursdays-
Please make sure to book in due time (at least 2 days in advance)
Meeting point:
- House of Women, St. Johann bei Herberstein 7, 8222 Feistritztal: www.hausderfrauen.at
- Public parking area near by
- Public transport: Bus stop Kaibing