Corpus Christi procession on Staffelsee: Seehauser resume their tradition after a two-year break

Created: 06/16/2022, 16:30

The decorated ferry, including the clergy and the monstrance, glides across the lake and stops at both Jakobsinsel and Wörth.

© Constanze Wilz

A happy day: The Seehauser were able to resume their deep-rooted tradition after the forced Corona break.

With good timing in view of the thunderstorm.

Seehausen – The Lord's Prayer sounds over the loudspeakers of the MS Seehausen.

The sky is overcast and the faithful are marching towards the boat landing at a pleasant 25 degrees.

Among them was Auxiliary Bishop Florian Wörner with the Holy of Holies in the monstrance.

A carpet of green cuttings runs through the fishing village of Seehausen, whose Corpus Christi procession is unique in Bavaria.

The Christian celebration extends not only to the decorated and flagged village street, but also to the Staffelsee.

The ferry with the priests stops at Jakobsinsel and the Wörth.

They usually get off at the Wörth, where the Seehauser parish originated.

But this year the religious devotion in the Simpert chapel was not possible.

Because the sky had darkened menacingly in the course of the procession.

Thunder rumbled in the distance, lightning flashed on the horizon.

When the ferry arrived at the largest island, it was decided against getting off.

The first chairwoman of the parish council, Angelika Guglhör, gestured to those present to understand that this was the end of it.

With a black cloud front in the back, the ferry made its way back.

She was flanked by numerous boats,

rush less

This year the tourist rush was not so enormous - the people of Seehaus kept to themselves.

The local Marcell Toepfer was happy about this: "It's a festival for the village and it's nice that there are fewer strangers," he said.

Toepfer has been actively involved in the procession for 20 years.

He likes the atmosphere and the togetherness.

"Young and old work together and have been up since five in the morning," reports the doctor.

Whether the believers go out with the boats is decided spontaneously on the same day.

Since the embroidered flags and especially the canopy are highly sensitive, the celebration only takes place when the weather is nice.

The last time was 2019.

Now the Seehauser were all the more pleased to be able to resume their deeply rooted tradition after a two-year Corona break.

Even if the trip onto the water was a bit risky, because the forecast had predicted rain.

But Peter meant well with the believers, they arrived dry at the boat dock.

"The storm is coming in ten minutes!", a Seehauser sounded over many heads - then it got hectic.

A few drops of rain fell as the crowds pushed towards the town center.

Shortly thereafter, the procession arrived safely at the Church of St. Michael.

Constanze Wilz