The pilgrimages on the Holy Mountain in Andechs start in September with a six-month delay.
The mass celebrations still only take place outdoors.
Andechs
- Just as the pilgrimage season on the Holy Mountain in Andechs was about to start, the lockdown occurred in March.
Since May, services have been taking place in front of the pilgrimage church again, only in the open air.
But there were still no pilgrimages - until now.
Pilgrimage masses are planned for the first time on Saturday, September 12th.
Pilgrim groups from the parishes of Schwabmünchen and Bernried have announced themselves as the first.
The pilgrimage rector Abbot Johannes Eckert is still keeping all options open for the Three Hosts Festival on September 27th.
However, the pilgrimage masses will also take place outside in front of the church.
"In terms of personnel, we cannot deny it any other way," says monastery spokesman Martin Glaab.
Since the resumption of services in May, there have been regular new infection protection ordinances of the diocese of Augsburg with strict rules that could only be complied with in the church with enormous effort.
Five pilgrimage masses or devotions are currently planned for September.
"We try to make it possible for all pilgrimage groups who want to come," says Glaab and restricts the planning to take place on sight, depending on the weather and the incidence of infection.
Apart from the art and beer symposium that has just taken place, all other events had to be canceled.
Only the Bräustüberl is open with enormous personnel expenditure.
Normally, pilgrimage rector Abbot Johannes can look forward to more than 130 pilgrimage groups with around 30,000 pilgrims each year.
These numbers are currently tending towards zero.
Even single pilgrims, who normally find a bed in the monastery, stayed locked with the heavy doors.
“Nothing will change that,” says Glaab.
The Schwabmünchner and Bernried pilgrims, who have been announced for September 12th, are the first pilgrims to be welcomed on the Holy Mountain this year.
Glaab does not rule out the possibility that there will be more in the following months.
“That depends very much on the weather.” He doesn't expect the services to take place in the church again soon.
"But we try to make the pilgrimage possible for as long as possible."
Those responsible want to keep the planning of the three host festival flexible.
The Three Holy Hosts came from Rome via Bamberg to Andechs Castle in the twelfth century.
The rediscovery in 1388 caused a sensation and revived the Andechs pilgrimage.
Its beginnings go back to the eleventh century.
The Dreihostienfest is celebrated annually on the last Sunday in September - the old Andechser Kirchweihfest.
This year, Bishop Gregor Maria Hanke from the diocese of Eichstätt is the guest.
Currently, the announcement is deliberately limited to the word “pontifical office” from 9.30 am.
Whether inside or outside - “we have to look there,” says Glaab.
