Shrine of Altötting

Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
20 Jan 2010

In the homeland of Pope Benedict XVI, in upper Bavaria, lies Altötting, the most famous Marian shrine of the German-speaking world, which, as the "Shrine of Europe" belongs to the six most important pilgrimage destinations in Europe. For over 1250 years, Altötting has been the spiritual center of Bavaria; for over 500 years, the image from the 14th century has been venerated there.

John Paul II prayed in front of the black Madonna at the shrine during his visit to Germany in 1980, where more than 1 million pilgrims come each year and where the votive plaques remember the gratitude of people for answers to prayer. In this chapel the special connection of the people and their government is visible; here the hearts of countless kings, dukes and bishops are kept. Joseph Ratzinger, today's Pope Benedict XVI, made a pilgrimage to Altötting every year with his family as a child. Since his childhood, he regularly visited the shrine, most recently in 2006. A central square, a museum and a 224 km circular path bear the name of this famous pilgrim.

As a child in 1934, the Pope also attended the canonization of Konrad von Parzam, a Capuchin brother, who by his service helped countless people at the gate of his monastery. He remembers the festivities: "I believe that these small saints in particular are a great sign for our time."

A "virtual time travel" brings us back to the passion of Christ, the experience of Jerusalem 2000 years ago, the so-called "panorama of the crucifixion." The panorama of Altötting, an oversized painting by Gebhard Fugel inside a building especially built for that purpose dates back to 1903. It is the only original panorama with a religious theme in Europe proclaimed world cultural heritage, and is thus under the protection of UNESCO.

The "Benedict XVI" House, the new treasury and pilgrimage museum accommodate the "Goldenes Rössl" (Golden Ross), the world renown Marian altar. It is a gold and enamel work from the French crown treasure, a New Year's gift of the Bavarian princess Elisabeth to her husband Karl VI in the year 1404. This piece is the most precious piece of gold and enamel work in the world.

Once a year a great youth gathering takes place in Altötting.

Every Saturday a countless number of pilgrims gather for a candle procession from the Basilica of St. Anna to the Chapel of Graces.

On occasion of the 500th anniversary of the Marian pilgrimage shrine, the image was brought outside, to bless the pilgrims with it.

"The merciful God may bless you and all your relatives, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."

This is a prayer recited by John Paul II when he visited the Shrine in 1980:

"To you, Mother, I entrust the future of the faith in this ancient Christian country, and mindful of the afflictions of the last terrible war, which inflicted such deep wounds especially on the peoples of Europe, I entrust to you the peace of the world. May a new order be born from among these people, based on full respect for the rights of every nation and every man in his nation, a truly moral order in which peoples can live together as a family through the proper balance of justice and freedom.

I make this prayer to you, Queen of Peace and Mirror of Justice, I, John Paul II, Bishop of Rome and successor of St. Peter, and I leave a lasting memory to the heritage of your Altötting shrine. Amen."