Missieklooster Heilig Bloed, Missionary monastery in Laarbeek, Netherlands.
The Missieklooster Heilig Bloed is a monastery in Laarbeek where approximately 25 sisters live and dedicate themselves to prayer and care for aging sisters returning from missionary work abroad. These sisters provide a home and retirement for those who have spent their lives in foreign missions.
The monastery was established to welcome sisters returning from mission assignments, and during World War I it became an important refuge for those in need. Throughout that period, it provided shelter to various groups seeking safety.
The sisters live according to monastic rules, and visitors can observe their daily work and prayer routines directly within the community. You can see them moving through the spaces in their habits, living out their commitment to shared spiritual life.
Visitors can contact the monastery's guest facilities to learn more about daily routines and potentially attend services. It is best to reach out beforehand to arrange a suitable time for a visit.
The monastery survived both World Wars and served as a shelter for diverse groups, from Jewish refugees to resistance fighters and wounded soldiers from multiple nations. This role as a quiet protector during the darkest years is not widely known, yet it forms a crucial part of the place's history.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.