Looking for accommodation in Bichl: That's what the custom of "carrying women" is all about

Created: 12/19/2022, 5:00 p.m

By: Elena Royer

“Our Lady is on her way to Bethlehem.

Do you want to give her a hostel for one night?” asks Philipp Gahn at the front door.

Lisa Urban is happy to accommodate the special guest.

© Arndt Pröhl

It is a Christmas tradition that is cultivated in Bichl, among other places.

Here the practice of “carrying women” is practiced, in which believers offer accommodation to a figure of Mary.

Bichl – “The Mother of God is on her way to Bethlehem.

Do you want to give her a place to stay for one night?” This is a saying that you hear on many front doors in Bichl during Advent.

There the old Christian custom of carrying women is maintained, in which a figure of the Virgin Mary is given from house to house.

Carrying women in Bichl: "A beautiful, pious custom"

Lisa Urban and her family give the Mother of God a roof over her head for the first time this Advent.

The family is sitting expectantly in the living room when the doorbell finally rings.

Philipp Gahn is standing in front of the door.

In his arms he carries the longed-for guest, who now finds a hostel with the Urbans.

Gahn has been carrying women for at least 15 years.

Originally from Nuremberg, he got to know the custom in Bichl.

"It's a beautiful, pious custom," he says.

Together with Our Lady, a small bag is passed from family to family with suggestions for prayers and songs.

"Every family organizes the arrival of the Mother of God differently," explains Gahn.

"Many also invite friends and neighbors to attend." A rosary was prayed at Gahn's.

"There is a wonderful atmosphere when the Mother of God is present," enthuses the 55-year-old.

"Everything is more peaceful."

Prayer is especially important at this time.

Lisa Urban from Bichl

Lisa Urban found out about the custom of carrying women by accident.

Why did she decide to take part?

"It's a beautiful thing," says the 33-year-old.

"And praying is especially important at the moment." As a nice side effect, you get to know the people in the village better, Urban and Gahn realize, who didn't know each other before.

Lisa Urban has already reserved a special place for the Mother of God: she should stand on the tiled stove.

"She can look down there."

Carrying women is intended to imitate Mary's search for a hostel before the birth of Jesus.

In Bichl, the custom comes from the women's association.

It was brought into being many years ago by Maria Knestel.

"My mother saw it somewhere and thought it's a nice custom," says Michael Knestel.

Because Maria Knestel has since passed away, her daughter-in-law Johanna Knestel continues the tradition.

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Tradition helps to reflect on the essentials at Christmas

A few years ago, the Bichler Women's Association undertook a pilgrimage to South Tyrol especially for the women to carry and had the figure carved, says Johanna Knestel.

The Mother of God is wrapped in a blue cloak with a gold border.

“The coat was only dry cleaned in the summer,” reveals Johanna Knestel.

She knows: “Many families come closer together through the custom.

For example, many invite grandma and grandpa – that’s really nice.”

Knestel thinks it is particularly important to get back to the essentials, sit down together and maybe switch off the cell phone or the television.

Her husband adds: “Just before Christmas, the stress often increases.

There is no peace and you can no longer find time for matters close to your heart.” A tradition like this can help you to concentrate on the essential things again.

The nice feeling of having Maria at home

Anyone who wants to give the Mother of God a lodging in their house for one night had to register with Johanna Knestel in advance.

It wasn't difficult to find enough people to take part.

"One place was still free," explains the organizer.

Many families would also express a desired date, which will be taken into account if possible.

Knestel thinks it's nice that this year, for the first time, younger families are also interested in carrying women.

"This is how the tradition is passed on."

The Knestels are already happy when Our Lady comes to them.

The time has come on December 23rd.

"The feeling of having Maria at home is really nice," says Johanna Knestel.

"It's something special, you feel protected."

You can find more current news from the region around Bad Tölz at Merkur.de/Bad Tölz.