About us
a896We are the Education Centre of the Jesuits and Caritas, named after Cardinal Franz König.
We are a staff of approximately fifty people and many volunteers, who aim to help our guests achieve a successful learning experience and have a pleasant stay at Kardinal König Haus.
Mission Statement
We are the Education Centre of the Jesuits and Caritas.
“No dialogue without sharing the Faith with others, examining culture, and ensuring that justice is in place.“
(34th General Congregation of the Jesuit Order, 1995)
“Equal opportunities for all, fair trade and the willingness to share – for us, these are the essential, indespensable building blocks of society.“
(Mission statement of Caritas of the Archdiocese of Vienna)
Our foundation is the Christian view of humanity: on this basis, we approach individuals in their entirety with appreciation and respect. Following the example of Cardinal König, we embrace different points of view, openness and dialogue and strive to communicate these values on a wider scale. We are an institution of the Catholic Church and are committed to the concept of an open church.
We provide support for adults in their personal or professional learning processes.
Our programme focuses on Ignatian spirituality, order development, social management, hospice and palliative care and issues of society. We work with people, teams, organisations and their employees who wish to advance their personal, cooperative, social and professional training and development - venturing into new territory and thereby uncovering new spiritual dimensions. Institutions have the opportunity to conduct their own events in our facilities - we offer our support in the process. We provide consulting and assistance based on our own expertise. We also make room for support groups.
We foster a friendly and supportive environment through our creative and professional dedication.
We are a multi-professional team consisting of diverse national, linguistic and religious backgrounds and different ways of life. We consider ourselves to be experts in adult education as well as in the support of personal and social development and learning processes. We are committed to continuous quality improvement and work in conjunction with our participants and guests towards further development of our programmes. Holistic education processes require attentive care for the body, mind and soul. Therefore, we offer healthy meals, comfortable guest rooms, modern conference rooms, rooms for spiritual deepening, as well as a large park.
Our aim is to help the people that come to us to achieve a successful learning experience.
We define a successful learning experience as a process with the following facets: identity forging, world orientation and world transformation. Individuals become aware of themselves, their personal and social skills. They expand upon these facets and are encouraged and supported in their search for meaning. Individuals become conscious of their own patterns of interpretation, which in turn inform the way they view the world and orient themselves within it; they acquire knowledge, broaden their horizons and recognize connections; they form opinions and take on positions. Individuals are empowered and encouraged to take responsibility and become protagonists that transform their lives and the world; they become inventive and dynamic.
Caritas of the Archdiocese of Vienna
Caritas of the Archdiocese of Vienna, as part of Caritas Austria and moreover Caritas Internationalis, is a charity active in the capital city of Vienna and in the eastern part of lower Austria. It is made up of approximately 5,000 staff and numerous volunteers. Their work aims to benefit disadvantaged groups, for example people in need of care or shelter, or refugees. They also engage in important advocacy work.
For further information visit www.caritas-wien.at (website in German).
The Jesuits
The Jesuit order (official name: Society of Jesus, lat. Societas Jesu – SJ) was confirmed by Pope Paul III in 1540. The Order was founded by the Spanish nobleman Ignatius of Loyola (1491 – 1556). Today the Jesuits are the biggest order in the Catholic Church. They - approximately 16,000 members from every continent - operate worldwide. The motto of the Jesuit order: For the greater glory of God (Omnia ad maiorem Dei gloriam – OAMDG). For further information visit www.jesuiten.at.
At the moment seven Jesuits are living in the Jesuit community at Kardinal König Haus.
Cardinal Franz König
- born 3 August 1905, died 13 March 1985
- Archbishop of Vienna from 1956 to 1985
- Man of prayer and pastor
- Council Father and decisive player at the Second Vatican Council 1962 - 1965
- Ecumenical and inter-religious bridgebuilder
- Dialogue partner for non-believers
- Advocate of human dignitiy at the beginning and end of life
- Patron of the Hospice Movement
- Friend of the Society of Jesus