He calls it a radical choice. While most young people opt for a career or a family, Stefan Ansinger (27) from Venray opts for faith. After his studies in public administration, he entered the Order of Predikheren, or the Dominicans.
Stefan Ansinger lives in the Dominican monastery in Friborg, Switzerland. He studies philosophy and theology at the adjacent university. He is briefly back in the Netherlands for family visits. We speak to him at the Diocese of Roermond.
‘Wearing a habit has a function’
Dressed in a white habit, Stefan is a striking appearance in the streets. “Wearing a habit is functional,” he explains. “It reminds me of my calling myself. Just like others wear a uniform, I wear a habit. I have so many beautiful conversations with people. They come to me to pray. They are very inspired by the fact that you have a habit. In addition, we should be a bit more proud of our faith. You also see expressions of other faiths, such as a headscarf. That’s how I wear my habit.”
Development of faith
Faith has grown organically in Stefan’s life. The love of Christ is a common thread in this. “I got the musical side of faith from my mother. And also all rituals such as incense and candles. From my father I especially learned the rational side of faith. Because faith is not only for people who float above the earth, but faith has always been very important to the universities.”
To come out
The intellectual side of the Dominicans is what attracts Stefan to this order. “In addition, the Dominicans are strongly focused on the outside world. I don’t like leading a monastic life, like the Benedictines at Vaals do. I want to be among the people.”
Own YouTube channel
Brother Stefan mainly tries to propagate the faith through his musical talent. He has a predilection for Gregorian music. Through his own YouTube channel OPChant he tries to reach the whole world. “I like to convey the message of faith with my voice. A lot of people don’t understand the lyrics, but they still think it’s beautiful music. Something in that music goes deeper than just the lyrics.
hope for new life
Easter for Brother Stefan in the first instance means, of course, the resurrection of Christ. “It doesn’t stop at death. And in our lives, our own problems never have the last word. It’s the festival of hope, hope of new life.”