They are not only dedicated to monastic prayer and work, in fidelity to the Benedictine Rule, Ora et Labora , but, when needed, they transform themselves in voluntary firemen. They are the members of the voluntary fire-brigade unit of the monastic community of St. Ottilia (Benedictine missionaries) who celebrated the centenary of the unit’s foundation with a Mass in the abbey celebrated by Abbot Jeremias Schröder. The rite was attended by many of the professional firemen with whom the monks have forms bonds of real friendship. Also present were two members of the Vatican fire brigade who had travelled from Rome for the occasion. The fire brigade of the Abbey of St. Ottilia was founded in January 1907. At the present time 19 monks form part of it; they are responsible not only for the large monastic complex itself but also for a secondary school with 750 students, a house for spiritual exercises with dormitory space for 120, a farm, various craft workshops, a publishing house, and even a stretch of the neighbouring Autobahn (the A 96). The monks of the fire brigade are also called to provide their services in cases of emergency in the area surrounding the monastery. In the early years after their foundation the monks provided their emergency service wearing their normal monastic habit, but now they wear a uniform that complies with existing health and safety rules.
