Mariä Himmelfahrt

Sixteen strong men are needed to carry the image of the glorious Mother of God. This is the annual procession from the church of Our Lady also known as the Obere Pfarre. For over 300 years this procession has taken place commemorating the Assumption of Mary. Legend says if this procession ever fails there will be war. The feast of the Assumption of Mary is supported by four undeniable church teachings. These are that Mary is the Mother of God the Immaculate Conception therefore a virgin and ascended to heavenly glory. The large over-life-sized figure of Mary with the infant Jesus is taken from the high altar. It is adorned with Baroque robes. Countless votive offerings are attached to these robes. The figure is carried in procession by sixteen haulers originally winegrowers. It is carried along with the Eucharist to the parish church of St Martin. There the two statues of the Mother of God face each other. One is from the Obere Pfarre the other the Sorrowful Mother of God (Pieta) from St Martin. After a short devotion the devotional image is returned to the Obere Pfarre. For three days prayer services are held in the richly decorated church. These are held before the exposed Eucharist. During this time the festively dressed image is not in the high altar. It is placed in the middle of the nave among the faithful. The number of worshippers during these festival days and throughout the year still testifies to the veneration of the Mother of God. The Assumption of Mary into Heaven is celebrated on August 15th. This Marian high feast has its predecessor in the Day of the Mother of God Mary on August 15th. It is attested for the middle of the 5th century in a lectionary for Jerusalem. This initially general commemoration soon takes on the meaning of Natale. This is the birthday for eternity the home-going. The Byzantine Church has known it in this sense since the 6th century. In Rome it has been celebrated since the middle of the 7th century. The belief in Mary’s assumption into Heaven body and soul strengthened in the East and West. It received its foundation through the dogmatization of Mary’s bodily assumption into Heaven. This tenet of faith was elaborately expounded by Pius XII on November 1st 1950 in the Apostolic Constitution Munificentissimus Deus in agreement with the bishops. The feast draws our attention to the goal of our lives. This is that we may one day live with God and behold his glory. Mary the Mother of Jesus and our sister in faith believed in and trusted in God in all her life situations. She received the glory from Christ first. While Mary has already reached the goal of life we are on the way there. It is customary on the high feast of Mary’s assumption into Heaven to consecrate herbs. The healing power of herbs should serve the whole person’s well-being through the intercession of the Church. This salvation has become particularly evident in Mary. May God grant us this holistic salvation through Mary’s intercession. The Mariä Himmelfahrt is a place of great faith and tradition. It is a testament to the enduring power of belief. This power has shaped the history and culture of Bamberg for centuries.