Corpus Christi procession in Traunkirchen

🕰️ 08.30 a.m.: Holy Mass in the parish church.

🚣‍♂️ 09.30 am: Lake procession on Lake Traunsee near Traunkirchen

In case of bad weather, the lake procession is canceled.

Uncertain weather conditions: The decision as to whether the lake procession will take place will be made on Corpus Christi Day at approx. 07:00 am

🚢 'On the lake - to the glory of God'

Corpus Christi procession in Traunkirchen

The history:

The word 'Corpus Christi' is derived from the Old High German 'Fronlichnam' and means 'the Lord's body'.

In Traunkirchen, Corpus Christi has been held as a lakeside procession since the second fire in 1632. One reason for this form of procession, apart from the spatial problem, was the religious aspect in particular, as it was intended to bring the mystery of the Eucharist to the attention of the participants in a psychologically impressive and educationally effective way.

The course of events:

After High Mass in the parish church, the procession leaves the church to the sound of melodies from the Jesuit era and moves towards the lake gate of the former monastery. The priest with the Blessed Sacrament walks under a yellow, red embroidered canopy, the "heaven", which is carried by four men. The canopy is followed by guild and brotherhood flags and boys and girls with flags in the colors of the church (yellow and white) and Upper Austria (white and red). The local festive costume of the women, the "Goldhauben", as well as the children of the kindergarten and the first communicants embellish the procession. They are followed by the church choir, the local music and the procession participants.

The bells announce the start of the procession and the local music plays the Eucharistic hymn "Pange linqua".

The course of the Corpus Christi fleet, consisting of the main ship, the "Himmelsfuhre" and the counter ferry, numerous motorboats and sailing boats, now makes its way to the first station, Winkelbucht. Here the priest proclaims the Gospel and gives the blessing. With singing and prayer, they also reach the other two stations on the lake, at the height of the monastery and south of the Johannesberg. During the docking maneuver to the fourth and final station at the war memorial, the local music ensemble plays the hymn "Die Himmel rühmen das ewigen Ehre" ("The heavens praise the eternal glory"), newly set to music by Ludwig van Beethoven.

The first oil painting of a Corpus Christi procession dates back to 1830. The original is in the shipping museum in Greinburg, a copy hangs in the Patergang of the monastery.

Sources: from the local history book "Traunkirchen" by Ferdinand Mittendorfer

Lake procession in Traunkirchen am Traunsee

Testimony of faith and Christian tradition since 1632 🌊⛪🎶