Greetings from Maria Kirchental!
Postcard from Maria Kirchental, a pilgrimage church near Salzburg in Austria.
The pilgrimage to the church is centred around a gothic Madonna from 1400. The baroque building was constructed between 1694 and 1701. It was designed by the Austrian architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach.
During the season of advent the church of Maria Kirchental upholds the ancient tradition of celebrating Rorate Masses in honour of Mary. The name of this Mass refers to its opening antiphon: “Rorate caeli désuper et nubes pluant justum”. Before the Second Vatican Council the Masses would take place in the early hours of the morning, but now evening celebrations are permitted also.
There is a beautiful symbolism associated with the Rorate Mass. Through the snow and cold and darkness of the early morning the faithful would travel with lanterns in their hands to the candlelit church where the Mass was celebrated. What a beautiful symbol of light concurring darkness.
Maria Kirchental website
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