Image: Jonathan Wischenbart
The entry of 1200 children in chasubles into the monastery basilica offered an impressive picture. The basilica was filled to the last seat at the festive service with Bishop Manfred Scheuer. They enthusiastically sang along with the children’s choir from Dietach under the direction of Julia Kaineder.
Matching the theme of the service “You are asked!”, the children were shown in the joint celebrations that they are important and in demand as altar servers in the service with their knowledge, actions and hearts.
workshops
After the festive service, the entire monastery became a game town with different districts. Strengthened after the catering, there was a wide range of workshops for the children. The city center offered everything that belongs to a real city, from the hospital to the media center. In the Future Zone, the program revolved around research, children’s rights and the climate. At the mini-campus, the children were able to playfully immerse themselves in different fields of study for the first time. A life like in a monastery was possible in the monastery district. From medicinal herbs and their use to old writings, there was a lot that belongs to monastic life. At the street festival, the children dealt with development policy issues.
Liara (10) from the parish of St. Martin im Mühlkreis says: “We were given a guided tour by the canons, which was very interesting. The play stations, tug of war, limbo and glacier jumping were particularly great. I enjoyed today so much. I hope there will be a day like this again soon.” David (23) from Waizenkirchen, honorary department manager at Minitag, was happy about so many altar servers: “I find the coordination and organization of such large events exciting. It’s nice when so many children are having fun at the stations.”
In the late afternoon, the children were picked up by a long dance polonaise from the districts for the joint conclusion in the Stiftshof. Marie Mayrhofer from the Katholische Jungschar Linz organized this big event and thanked everyone who helped out: “The mini day is meant to be a thank you to the many altar boys and girls for their commitment to the church. They are an essential part of a vibrant church.”
In Upper Austria there are currently around 10,000 altar boys and 1200 group leaders.
Source: Nachrichten
