The Catholic Church is known to have a fine knack for staging. Especially when things get interworldly and sometimes a bit spooky for some people. Since Friday, Cardinal Michael Faulhaber’s so-called smoke cloak has been hanging behind glass in the crypt of the Cathedral of Our Lady, black and heavy, interwoven with gold threads and held by a massive decorative buckle. The longest-serving shepherd (1917 to 1952) in the entire history of the diocese carried the heavy burden at the funeral of the last Bavarian royal couple in 1921. The crypt of Ludwig III. and Maria Theresa can be found in the dim light directly on the side of the liturgical vestment.
Cardinal Michael Faulhaber wore the black smoke cloak at the funeral of the last Bavarian royal couple in 1921.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
A tour ends underground, which is intended to illustrate a major anniversary of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising: 1300 years ago, its first bishop and founder, Saint Korbinian, arrived in Freising. The anniversary will be celebrated for a year. Because the seat of the diocese was in Freising until 200 years ago, the majority of events take place there. “We are now officially joining in the celebration,” said cathedral priest Klaus Peter Franzl on Friday morning.
Cathedral priest Klaus Peter Franzl presents the anniversary program for Munich.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
Some talent for improvisation was required because most of the references to the former French wandering bishop and bear tamer can now be found on the Freisinger Domberg. That’s why Munich decided to design a permanent tour along works of art that are already in the Frauenkirche.
Diocesan history can be experienced here at 18 stations in 20 minutes. In addition to the relics of the Munich city patron Benno and the baroque altarpiece of St. Rupert, another founding figure of the Bavarian church, this also includes a glowing stained glass window from 1964 that refers to the World Eucharistic Congress in Munich. It was the first major international event in the city after the Second World War, explained archdiocese archivist Roland Götz during the tour. Vestments and episcopal regalia from the depots are also exhibited in the crypt.
The bones of Munich’s patron saint, St. Benno, also rest in the Liebfrauendom.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
In addition to themed services in the Korbinian year, the anniversary in Munich will primarily shine with church music. The archdiocese has commissioned an oratorio from film composer Enjott Schneider. The work entitled “Beatitudines – the Beatitudes” will be performed in the Liebfrauendom on November 23rd and 24th under the direction of the cathedral cantor Benedikt Celler. A competition was also announced for a ten-minute organ work to the melody of the traditional Korbinian song. Cathedral organist Ruben Sturm will also premiere it in the cathedral on June 26th.