Hauntingly beautiful, living customs in Seehausen

The participants of the sea procession are blessed with fantastic weather. © Constanze Wilz

"Poignantly beautiful," says one participant and that's all there is to it. Once again, an impressive Corpus Christi procession took place on Thursday in Seehausen. And that - in contrast to last year - in perfect conditions. The sun was shining, the participants drove in droves to the island of Wörth for the devotion.

Seehausen – When the weather gods play along, some things can be so simple. For example, the traditional Corpus Christi procession on Lake Staffelsee. The faithful were rewarded with blue skies and bright sunshine as they marched through the fishing village of Seehausen on the carpet of grass clippings. Altars were set up there, birch trunks and flags adorned the houses. Lovingly designed flower patterns were draped on the floor. To prepare for all this, several villagers had been on their feet since dawn. Their efforts were rewarded with a procession that could not have been more beautiful. A celebration whose rituals and procedures have been established since it was first held in 1935.

Migration of peoples on the island of Wörth: In droves, the participants make a pilgrimage to the devotion with Pastor Thomas Renftle. © Constanze Wilz

Arriving at the landing stage, Pastor Thomas Renftle and his escort boarded the festively decorated ferry. Accompanied by numerous boats, we then went out onto the water. The first stop was St. James' Island, then the participants docked on the island of Wörth, where the Seehauser parish has its origins. Everything went smoothly. The Second Mayor of Seehaus, Karl Widmann, was particularly enthusiastic about this: "The windless weather is ideal. You can just go there, be there, done."

Red flags, blue skies: that's how magnificent the train is on the island. © Constanze Wilz

It's not always that straightforward. Everything stands and falls with the weather – and when it rains, no one goes out. Sometimes the procession has to be stopped in the middle of it, as for example last year: When the ferry had already docked at the Wörth, the sky was threateningly darkened. A religious devotion in the Simpert Chapel was therefore not possible – the participants fled in a hurry from the approaching weather front.

This year, however, there was no reason to hurry, there was pure idyll. Under the "sky" made of fine fabric, Pastor Renftle carried the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance across the island. In addition, brass band music played, there was singing and prayer. The colors of embroidered flags stood out against the bright green meadow, the participants presented themselves in their most beautiful costumes.

Several hundred onlookers watched the action. In rowing boats, on the deck of the MS Seehausen or from land. But there was not an enormous rush as in previous years. Karl Widmann is anything but sad about this. "After all, this is a church ceremony and not a spectacle," says the Second Mayor. Thus, mainly locals were represented, as well as people who have a connection to this Catholic solemnity. Among them was Wolfgang Walter, a permanent camper on the Burg peninsula. "Traditions have to be lived," he says. Peter Stumpf, who lived in Seehausen for 15 years and remains loyal to the procession, could only agree with this: "Such traditions are important because society can orient itself towards them." The Peitinger is absolutely convinced of this. In a nutshell, Uli Hubal from Seehausen sums up his impression of the sea procession, which is unique in Bavaria: "Hauntingly beautiful." And that's all there is to it. CONSTANZE WILZ

The participants start at the boat landing in Seehausen. © Constanze Wilz