It all started with a simple prayer meeting in a Vienna student apartment back in 1987. Just three people, a rosary, and a meal.
Fast forward nearly four decades, and what began as a humble gathering has blossomed into one of Europe’s biggest Catholic youth communities — the Loretto Community.
Every year, over 12,000 people now gather for its vibrant Pentecost Festival, spread across 28 locations in four countries. That’s a long way from a quiet Austrian living room.
A Spark Ignited in Medjugorje
The seeds of Loretto were planted in the mid-1980s, when Georg Mayr-Melnhof — a businessman from Salzburg and now a permanent deacon — traveled to Medjugorje, the Bosnian town famous for reported Marian apparitions.
That visit deeply moved him. Fueled by the spiritual intensity of Medjugorje, he began organizing pilgrimages for young people.
On one of those trips in Easter 1987, two young pilgrims approached him with an idea: “Georg, let’s not leave this spirit behind.
Let’s start something back home.”
Inspired by the Virgin Mary’s message to form prayer circles, they launched the very first Loretto prayer group that October.
What Loretto Believes In
The Loretto Community is deeply rooted in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal — a movement within the Church that puts strong emphasis on having a personal relationship with Jesus and being open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Its spiritual identity is a blend of Marian devotion, charismatic prayer, and Eucharistic worship.
The community’s mission? To reignite the Catholic Church with a new fire of the Holy Spirit and to create welcoming spaces where people can encounter God more intimately.
From Austria to the Rest of Europe
What began in Vienna has since stretched its arms across Europe.
Today, the Loretto Community has over 700 active members in countries like Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the U.K.
They’ve also set up permanent “HOME Mission Bases” in cities like Salzburg, Vienna, Passau, and London.
These bases act as spiritual hubs — offering prayer meetings, community formation, hospitality, and outreach.
In fact, the U.K. branch officially took off in London in 2019 and became a registered charity by 2020.
A Modern Movement with Ancient Roots
Despite its modern energy and growing reach, the heart of Loretto remains the same: community, prayer, and a deep love for Christ.
It’s a reminder that even the smallest moments of faith — like three friends praying in a quiet apartment — can spark something extraordinary.