Mysterium Christi
Association for the Promotion of Ecumenism and Pastoral Care of Youth
Mysterium Christi is a non-profit association set up for “the promotion of ecumenical engagements of the Catholic Church in the spirit of spiritual ecumenism and this particularly in respect to the pastoral care of youth. The Association understands its activities in light of the statements of the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Mystery of Christ and how one orients his or her life according to this mystery.” (taken from th Statutes of the Association)
Mysterium Christi Association was founded in 2007 by Msgr. Peter Hocken, Archdeacon Johannes Fichtenbauer, and Dr. Johann Heimbucher . The association was founded to support the ministry of Msgr. Peter Hocken by providing a center for his ministry – a place where he could live and host people and groups.
What was the ministry of Father Peter? His overarching vision was for the preparation of the coming of the Lord in glory. This manifold vision includes the renewal of the Church by the Holy Spirit, promotion of unity in the Body of Christ (especially between Jewish and Gentile believers), promotion of proper understanding of love for Israel and the Jewish people, and the orientation of each person (especially young people) towards the Second Coming of the Lord.
In this light, the house has been place of where many people of various denominations, Jew and Gentile, have met to pray, worship, fellowship, learn, discuss and go deeper into these topics. The house has also been a place from where Father Peter “went out.” Since the time of the foundation of the association until Father Peter’s death in June 2017, the house in Wienerstrasse 15, was a base from which Father Peter traveled — to all corners of the earth — bringing this very special message of preparation for the coming of the Lord in glory.
Since June 2017, the ministry and purpose of the house has continued, under the direction of the Board of Directors of Mysterium Christi. The house continues to be both a place of gathering, prayer, and teaching. Since 2021, the extensive library of Fr. Peter (his books and journals) has been catalogued and unpublished material is in the process of being organized and scan with the hope of creating an online academic digital library.
Two groups that find a home in the house are Maranatha Family and Achana. These two groups are the “spiritual family” of Father Peter and therefore had and will continue to have a special place in Wienerstrasse 15. According to “spiritual DNA” the house is also especially linked to the foundation in Krakow begun by Father Mariusz called, “Peter Hocken Foundation for Education and Dialogue.”
Mysterium Christi has also become a home (one of several) for the TJCII Movement (Towards Jerusalem Council II). Through the years, intercession gatherings have been hosted in the house, most notably gatherings of intercessors from Austria and many of the neighboring countries. Many of the administrative meetings of TJCII have been hosted here, and most recently the house in Wienerstrasse 15 has been the host of the international TJCII Formation Course.
We thank the Lord for His Faithfulness through the years and look forward to the blessings of the future!