Consecration of meat in Carinthia: tradition and blessing on Holy Saturday!

Consecration of meat in Carinthia: tradition and blessing on Holy Saturday!

In Carinthia, a charming tradition is maintained on Holy Saturday: the “Fleischweihe”. On this day, believers bring their Easter food to churches and chapels to be blessed. The festively decorated baskets are often covered with elaborately embroidered cloths and contain a variety of foods, ranging from ham and sausages to dyed eggs and salt and horseradish. Blessing food is more than just a custom; it is a cultural event that expresses trust in God's goodness. This tradition was particularly intensively maintained in Carinthia, as Klick Kärnten reports.

The blessings take place in various locations, including parish and branch churches as well as small chapels or wayside shrines. In order to give believers an overview of the times of the blessings, the Catholic Church of Carinthia provides an overview map. Further information is available on the Catholic Church of Carinthia website.

Ecclesiastical significance and celebrations

The custom of consecrating meat is closely linked to Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday. In earlier times, the consumption of meat, eggs and cheese was forbidden until this festive day. With the blessed Easter foods, which can now be consumed, the believers ring in the Easter celebrations. The Easter Vigil traditionally begins with the lighting of the Easter fire, followed by the consecration of the Easter candle. Here, the believers go into the church with the Easter candle to symbolize the light of the resurrection, as described in the reports from [Sinn und blessing](https://sinnundsegen.de/content/osterbraeuche-und-traditionen-so- Feiern-wir-das-osterfest/).

The subsequent Easter meal, at which the blessed food is served, is a solemn occasion characterized by a festively set table. Here, gratitude is expressed through table prayers for the gifts that come from the Creator. In addition, the joy of the festival is shared through the traditional breaking of Easter bread, and many families also bring gifts to relatives and friends.

Easter traditions in the region

Easter is considered the most important festival in the church year and commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In addition to the consecration of meat, there are numerous other customs and traditions surrounding Easter. In Germany, for example, colors are used for Easter eggs, a tradition that is also popular in Carinthia. Easter egg hunts and egg coloring are popular activities that delight both children and adults.

Easter dishes are interpreted differently in different cultures. While ham, sausage and dyed eggs dominate in Carinthia, there are also special customs around the world such as the preparation of giant omelets in France or water spraying in Poland. But what all traditions have in common is that they symbolize hope and new life and bring the family together.

With all these festive customs and traditions, Easter becomes a living expression of faith and cultural heritage that connects generations.