The St. John Berchmans Catholic Community was founded by a group of Irish and American families in 1971. This church community was to provide a setting where families with children could feel welcome and where they could sense a genuine loving presence of God. It celebrated its’ first Mass on the first Sunday of Advent of that year in the Jesuit Chapel of Berchmanskolleg. After 55 years, on the first Sunday of Lent in 2026, we moved into our new home, the Edith Stein Chapel at the KHG (the University’s Campus Ministry), Leopoldstr. 11.
Edith Stein Chapel at the KHG
Our Sunday Masses are regularly attended by at least 90 members. We have an International Group of English-speaking priests who serve this community. Our church community membership is made up English-speaking people from at least five continents of the world.
The St. John Berchmans Catholic Community is run by volunteers and we value every member’s contribution. Our priests volunteer to say Mass, and our members sign-up as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, Children’s Catechism Leaders, as well as to set-up the chapel for Mass and prepare coffee for fellowship after church services. Regular monthly business meetings which all members are invited to attend are held to plan and manage the Community’s activities. All members are encouraged to attend and share in decision making.
Our Community provides a very intimate setting for Mass celebrations where people of all ages are welcome. A special Liturgy of the Word is provided for the children in a special room and they are invited to rejoin the rest of the Community at the Offertory. Older children are encouraged to take part in the full Mass. First Communion Classes are provided for young children to prepare them for their First Communion. Confirmation Classes are also provided for older children almost every second year.
While we have the blessing and recognition of the Bishop, our community does not receive any financial support from the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising. Activities are supported entirely by the generosity of our members.
Anyone and everyone is invited to join us on Sunday. We look forward to meeting you!
In Loving Memory
The Jesuit Chapel of the Berchmanskolleg has been our home for 55 years. The chapel had to be profaned on February 18, 2026 on Ash Wednesday 2026.
After the closing prayer, the Jesuit provincial’s decree of profanation was read aloud. The ciborium with the consecrated hosts was removed from the tabernacle. Then Fr. Christof Wolf, SJ, extinguished the eternal light. Silence fell. The procession took place in silence. Many wept.
Watch a five-minute video about the beautiful Chapel
130 people had come, old and young, many of them in tears; for 55 years, the chapel had been a place of sacraments, prayer, community, and religious home. It hurts when such a place is lost, when you can never see it again. The congregation has found a new place and will celebrate Holy Mass on the first Sunday of Lent in the Edith Stein Chapel at the KHG (the University’s Campus Ministry) Munich. We thank them for their hospitality! (Please read the press release in English and German)
Profaned Jesuit Chapel of the Berchmanskolleg