Communität Casteller Ring

Communität Casteller Ring (CCR) is a Religious order for women in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria.^[1]

The order was founded by Christel Schmid (1892-1970);^[2] during World War II, she and seven young Christian women formed a group of Christian Girl Guides and this group was formalised in 1946. CCR emerged shortly after the war from the Bavarian Girl Guide Movement Bund Christlicher Pfadfinderinnen. ^[3] Mater Schmid led the order until 1969, when Maria Scholasika Pfister CCR took on the role.^[2]

In 2025, the prioress is Sr. Ursula Teresa Buske.^[4]

The Religious community lives in the spirit of the Rule of St Benedict. The mother house is in Schwanberg.^[3] From 1996 until Easter 2011, sisters of the Casteller Ring staffed St. Augustine's Monastery in Erfurt, where Martin Luther lived as a monk.^[5] The order has close links to the Münsterschwarzach Abbey.^[2]

In 2025, the order runs Schwanberg Spiritual Center which includes a convent, three guest houses and a café; guests are offered spiritual guidance and courses in liturgical singing, psalms, Bible study, meditation, grief counselling and music therapy.^[2]

In 2025, there are 38 sisters living with poverty, chastity, obedience and the Benedictine Rule.^[3]

CCR also has oblates and circle of friends.