Animal blessing in Schwendt: an unforgettable afternoon for children and animals
Animal blessing in Schwendt: an unforgettable afternoon for children and animals
in Schwendt, high up on a small hill, the parish church is standing, the roots of which extend into the late Gothic time. The listed building, to which Saint Aegidius is devoted to, recently offered the backdrop for a very special event - an animal blessing that not only exceeded the expectations of the organizers, but also delighted numerous hearts.
This autumn Saturday afternoon the church transformed into a place of diversity: over 60 children and their families as well as many love of animals filled the benches. The two main organizers, religion teacher Tanja Reiter and Hedwig Soyer, the chairwoman of the parish council, were impressed by the high number of participants. Her monthly children's devotions are generally popular, but the enthusiasm for this first animal blessing was amazed.
a fixed place in the community
The inclusion of the animals in this solemn occasion was particularly remarkable. Under the watchful view of Kirchenmaus Klaus, numerous four -legged friends, but also feathered friends, presented themselves. Even an Axolotl - a Mexican cock with remarkable regeneration ability - received his blessing from Pastor Rupert Toferer. The young owner of the Axolotl said that the animal can live up to 20 years and has functions such as restore limbs. This explanation ensured curious looks and questions from the audience.
"Hausherr" Klaus was visibly proud to welcome so many furry and feathered guests. The interest in this event showed that people in Schwendt and the surrounding area are looking for new and creative ways to express their connection to God and nature. This was also clear in the moving words of Archbishop Alois Kothgasser, who emphasized that we are not alone and can do great things together.
a new tradition
Tanja Reiter and Hedwig Soyer, who had prepared the project with a lot of commitment and creativity, were rewarded for their excellent work. Your efforts to bless the animal were not only valued with regard to the number of participants, but also in the content and atmospheric design. The women are proud of what they have achieved and were appointed winners of the Effata award 2024.
At the end of the day, it was not just about blessing the animals, but also about the feeling of community that was in the air. The parish enjoyed participation and proved that the church can be a lively place that opens new formats and pursues innovative approaches to the combination of humans and animals. Pastor Rupert Tatferer and the entire organization team have exceeded all expectations and show how community and spirituality can harmonize harmoniously. For more details about this event and its backgrounds, Read the complete report on www.meinbezirk.at .