Austrian Nuns Stage Daring Heist: 3 Sisters Break Back into Beloved Convent

Shares fell sharply in the Catholic community of Elsbethen, Austria, as three elderly nuns, Sisters Regina, Bernadette, and Rita, made a daring escape from their retirement home to break into their old convent, Schloss Goldenstein, on a recent Sunday morning. The 82-year-old Sister Rita, 86-year-old Sister Regina, and 88-year-old Sister Bernadette, all in their 80s, successfully gained entry to the convent, which they had left decades ago, and were seen celebrating Mass at the chapel. According to eyewitnesses, the nuns, who had been living in a care home, made their move at around 6:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning, when the convent's chapel was likely to be empty. The sisters, who had been part of the convent's community for many years, were said to have been driven by a desire to reconnect with their spiritual roots and to experience the sense of community they had once known. "We are thrilled to be back in our old convent," Sister Rita said in an interview, her eyes shining with excitement. "It's like coming home. We feel a sense of peace and tranquility here that we haven't felt in a long time." Sister Regina added, "We're not just nuns, we're a family. And being back here, we feel like we're part of that family again." The nuns' decision to leave their retirement home and break into their old convent has sparked a lively debate in the Catholic community about the role of older nuns in the church. While some have praised the sisters for their determination and spirit, others have expressed concerns about their safety and well-being. The convent of Schloss Goldenstein has a long history dating back to the 17th century, and has been a place of spiritual retreat for many generations of nuns. In recent years, however, the convent has struggled to maintain its numbers, with many younger nuns opting to leave the community to pursue other careers. The nuns' escape has also raised questions about the care and support provided to older nuns in Austria. While the Catholic Church has a long tradition of caring for its elderly members, some have argued that more needs to be done to support the physical and spiritual needs of older nuns. As the situation continues to unfold, the Catholic community in Elsbethen is watching with interest to see how the nuns' decision will be received by the church authorities. Meanwhile, the three sisters are enjoying their time back in their old convent, celebrating Mass and reconnecting with their spiritual roots. In a statement, the Catholic Church in Austria said it was "aware of the situation" and was "working to support the nuns and ensure their well-being." The church has not commented on whether it will take any action against the nuns for breaking into the convent.