Auxiliary Bishop Wolfgang Bischof donates the blessing to the Zeller Lehards for the first time - this Saturday there will be a celebration in Dietramszell.
Dietramszell - Finally, after two years of interruption due to the pandemic, the time has come: This Saturday from 1 p.m. the traditional "Lehards", the Leonhardi pilgrimage in Dietramszell, will take place again.
The blessing will be performed by Auxiliary Bishop Wolfgang Bischof, who will be celebrating the festive service at 9 a.m. in St. Leonhard.
Dietramszeller Lehards takes place again - parade and celebration
At the same time, the parade and the prayer walks mark the start of the celebrations for the 125th anniversary of the Edelweiß traditional costume association and the 40th birthday of the Dietramszell music band (we reported).
One week, until Sunday 24 July, there will be celebrations.
Marquee operation, a vintage car meeting, cabaret, wine festival and parade are among other things on the program.
But back to the parade, which – without Corona – actually takes place every year on the third Saturday in July.
The Zeller Lehards was first mentioned in 1578. And when a horse epidemic raged around Dietramszell in 1685, Provost Marcellinus Obermayr from the Augustinian Canons' Monastery in Dietramszell promised to build a chapel in honor of Saint Leonhard - provided the horses of the Klostermeierhof were spared.
St. Leonhard, initially the patron saint of prisoners and later also of cattle and horses in particular, fulfilled the request.
The animals remained healthy and the provost kept his promise.
He built a small church in honor of the saint, which is considered the forerunner of the Saint Leonhard's Chapel.
41 carriages and wagons in Dietramszell
"We are all happy that the ride can take place again," says Lehards-Lader Hans Kanzler.
Field measurements were used during the pandemic.
"But that's no comparison to the real Lehards." Last year, instead of the usual well over 35 wagons, only 15 teams and a few individual riders circumnavigated the pilgrimage church.
"This year 41 wagons and carriages have registered," says Chancellor in an interview with our newspaper.
"And representatives of the Munich police cavalry squadron, who rode for the first time two years ago, will be there again this year."
"Even member of parliament Florian Streibl will ride in a carriage," said Chancellor.
Read the latest news from Dietramszell here.
Pilgrimage on Saturday - Bishop Wolfgang Bischof celebrates the premiere
While for him this 363rd "official" pilgrimage is the eleventh in which he is playing a leading role, another is celebrating a premiere: Auxiliary Bishop Wolfgang Bischof.
The priest is familiar with the Dietramszell pilgrimage church and the parish association due to many visits, but: "For me, the tour here is a premiere that I'm looking forward to," said Bischof in an interview with our newspaper.
"After all, horse blessings are not an everyday occasion for me either." He is aware that living with animals can enrich people's lives a lot.
But an animal or pet also needs the appropriate attention.
That is the reason why he does not own an animal himself.
"As auxiliary bishop, I'm on the road a lot." He is all the more excited about Dietramszell: "I'm looking forward to it," says the auxiliary bishop.
Dietramszeller Leonhardi: The schedule
Arrival of teams and riders from 12.30 p.m. in Dietramszell.
There is a sign with a corresponding number for each wagon.
The passage of the bus at 12.30 p.m. must be taken into account.
Please follow the folder instructions.
Individual riders meet at the parking lot north of the monastery (gravel pit) and join behind the wagons.
The Dietramszell Leonhardiritt 2019 was so beautiful: See the best pictures here