What a day for the parish of Oberdorfen and for new priest Father Stephan Waxenberger, his family and many believers.
In bright sunshine and a white-blue sky, the 28-year-old from Landersdorfer celebrated his home primacy on Sunday a week after his ordination.
Landersdorf - Only a few hundred believers were allowed to take part in the open-air service under strict hygiene guidelines. But at least. “For a long time it looked as if even the liturgical celebrations would have to take place on a small scale. So I'm all the happier that at least the services in Altötting and Landersdorf could take place with this large number of believers, ”said the new priest.
He had been picked up at his parents' house for the first time.
Primizlader Xaver Reiser was impressed by the preparations for the celebration, in which so many helped: “Hats off!” Reiser got the primer in the mood for his tasks.
“It will not always be easy” as the number of believers decreases and the church gets smaller.
People set expectations and hopes in a new priest.
Many people are trapped in the virtual world and put consumption above everything.
The infinite power and greed of many have plunged the world into crisis.
Father Stephan wants to oppose this as a priest.
Beer mug, cards and a drone
Together with the closest family, acolytes and clerics, a small procession was then drawn to the festival meadow to the sound of Kirchdorf brass music and flag delegations from the local associations.
The whole of Landersdorf had festively dressed up and decorated the houses.
The pastor of the village, Father Sczcepan Matula, wished Father Stephan the courage and strength to be able to preach the Gospel with total devotion, even under difficult circumstances.
In the chancel, which is surrounded on three sides by a marquee, Father Stephan celebrated his first service in his homeland under a picture of the Virgin Mary "Our Lady of Dorfen".
Almost two dozen clergymen, friars and acolytes were at the altar.
In front of it there was a picture of flowers with the priest's saying: “Come and see”.
Show us the way to happiness, the way to heaven, the way to God!
Help us find our way to heaven with the drone of faith!
Father Martin Linner as a primer
Father Martin Linner gave the primary sermon.
Born in Tachertingen, he belongs, like the Primiziant, to the Congregation of the Servants of Jesus and Mary and works in the State Secretariat of the Vatican.
With a mug, a card game and a camera drone, the clergyman explained the work of a priest, especially the future of Father Stephan, “a cool guy”, as Father Martin said.
The mug stands for the fact that it is full of the grace of Jesus, which the priests are allowed to distribute to others. This should lead to "that we get drunk, even drunk, of the love of Christ". Father Martin named an old Erdinger Weißbräu advertising slogan: “This is how Bavaria tastes!” Father Stephan's slogan should be: “This is how heaven tastes!”.
With the card game, the preacher symbolically responded to the Watten, in which the three critics Spitz, Belle and Maxe would sting.
The priest's task is "always to play the king of hearts, that is, Christ the king".
Nobody has to be afraid, “we always play with Jesus, we are always on the winning side with him.
The King of Hearts stings the opponents hardship, suffering, sin, ”said the preacher.
The card is played by the priest at confession, for example, "with the mighty words 'I will absolve you of your sins'".
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King of hearts tricks: Father Martin Linner had a special trump card ready.
© Hermann Weingartner
In response to the drone, the preacher revealed that Father Stephan wanted to fly with a motorized kite soon. A sign that people loved to reach for the sky. This symbolically stands for “that ultimately the longing for God stands above everything”. Father Martin received a camera drone flying towards him. This gives you a “heavenly perspective of seeing the world as it really is. The drone of faith lets us know the truth ”. With the help of the Holy Spirit, who can be seen as a heavenly drone, “people can communicate with Jesus. This requires the courage to use the wings of faith ”. But many people are afraid of flying. If you believe in God, nobody needs to be afraid of falling, "because Jesus Christ always carries and protects us".Addressing Father Stephan, the preacher said: “Show us the way to happiness, the way to heaven, the way to God! Help us find our way to heaven with the drone of faith! "
At the end of the service, Father Stephan blessed the white and yellow Primizi ribbons and then pinned them to the flags of the parish delegates to commemorate the big day.
Primary blessing for the believers
District Administrator Martin Bayerstorfer and Mayor Heinz Grundner spoke of the politicians present.
Bayerstorfer spoke of a "moving experience" that was a prime.
Especially in a time of uncertainty, people need support and orientation.
That is why it is so valuable that young people choose the priestly profession.
"I am firmly convinced that in Stephan Waxenberger we have a priest who will take care of the people."
Mayor Grundner also expressed his joy that with Father Stephan “a young man followed his calling”.
The last Primiz was 25 years ago, so everyone in Dorfen is all the more pleased that this was not the last.
Grundner wished Father Stephan “lots of strength, lots of courage” for his job, his calling.
He wishes that the connection to the homeland will always remain.
To testify to this bond, Grundner gave the primitive a steel engraving from Dorf.
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Father Stephan Waxenberger celebrated his first divine service in his homeland under the mother of God Maria “Our Lady of Dorfen”.
© Hermann Weingartner
In an interview with the local newspaper (report to follow), Father Stephan already indicated that the home parish can definitely be seen as a guest celebrant.
“I visit my home country every now and then at irregular intervals.
Then there will probably also be the opportunity to celebrate Holy Mass together. "
At his primacy yesterday he thanked him for an “overwhelming and moving experience” that his home parish had given him.
The Primiziant was impressed by the "perfect organization" of the Primiz and the musical performance of the Lyrico Vocale choir under the direction of Lydia Ulrich-Riedl.
At the end of the day, the new priest donated the primary blessing to the believers in his first mass in his home parish.
This is something very special in Bavaria.
Primiz video
The Primiz was broadcast live on the YouTube channel of the parish Maria Dorfen. Pictures were shown, including aerial photos from a drone. The video is available at www.erzbistum-muenchen.de/pfarrei/pv-dorfen.