Ceremonial Eucharist: St. Gertrud commemorates the liturgical reform!

Ceremonial Eucharist: St. Gertrud commemorates the liturgical reform!

Klosterneuburg, Österreich - On December 7, 2023, the parish of St. Gertrud celebrated an important Eucharistic celebration in Klosterneuburg, which was reminiscent of the anniversary of the Sacrosanctum Concilium liturgy. Provost Anton Höslinger, who led the celebration, held an impressive sermon in which he explained the enormous scope of the global liturgical reform for the Catholic Church. The work of Pius Parsch, a Augustinian master of the Klosterneuburg Abbey, was particularly emphasized, which is considered the pioneer of this reform. His tomb is located at the levels of the altar in St. Gertrud, which gave the occasion additional historical context. Höslinger pointed out that the promulgation of the liturgy constitution took place on December 4, 1963 and was therefore celebrated as a further anniversary this year.

Benediction and challenges for the church

The consecration of Provost Anton Höslinger, who was elected on August 14, 2023 for the 67th Propst of the Klosterneuburg Abbey, took place on September 24, 2023 in the Abbey Basilica by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn. Höslinger, whose motto "The joy of God is our strength", emphasized the need for community and trust in his work. During the Benediction, reference was also made to the challenges in front of which the church is standing today, including the crisis of trust and the decline of believers. Schönborn tied to the fact that it was time for the Church to respond to people's concerns and to position the Church as a helping and spiritual institution. Mayor Stefan Schmuckenschlager and Governor Johanne Mikl-Leitner underlined the close connection of the pen to the community and its role as a place of spirituality and orientation in these difficult times in their speeches.

The celebrations for the liturgy constitution and the Benediction of Propst Höslinger illustrate the constant relevance of the Klosterneuburg Abbey in the Catholic Church and the efforts to take a new direction in a time of change. These events show how important the liturgy is for the community and faith of people, and express hope for a stronger connection between church and society, as well as the websites meinzirk.at and Stift-klosterneuburg.at report.