Perhaps you have seen some articles in German dealing rosaries. Here I will tell you what they are about.
The catholic mission for seafarers Stella Maris in Hamburg collects rosaries to give them to seafarers. In cooperation with the Daughters of Saint Paul SVD-Partner have asked people in Düsseldorf to give unused rosaries for Stella Maris.
Up to now many have brought rosaries so two packages have already been sent to Hamburg. The collecting box will be in the sisters‘ bookshop till the end of the year.
Everybody likes the idea that the rosary is no longer somewhere in a box but in a seafarer’s praying hand somewhere on the ocean.
Maria
Today is the feast of St. Karl Borromäus, the patron of the Catholic Public Libraries (Katholische öffentliche Bücherei KÖB). There are 25 libraries in Düsseldorf and today is their name day, so to speak. It is a good time to mention the many volunteers who are there for many little and grownup bookworms in Düsseldorf. Thank you and good that you are present!
At the beginning of the last century memory cups were very fashionable. They were used on Name Day, First Holy Communion, … on practically every occasion in life.
In front of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Hamburg a figure of St. Ansgar is placed (9th century*). The figure, about the height of a man, shows the first bishop of Hamburg in his monk’s clothes holding a cross in his hands. The way he does it reminds on the one hand of a pilgrim’s staff and on the other hand of Ansgars‘s commitment to the Christian faith as an offer to the spectator. Ansgar is on the move; he crosses the square but he does not come from the church building and he does not go to it. The church building is on his way, prominent and important, but it is not the place he wants to go to. Rather he wants to meet the people who walk across the square. He does this – and this touched me the most – with a smile: Ansgar, the missionary who brings the Good News to the people with joy.
Priska, Junia and Phoebe – no idea who that was? Well, it might be the case for many, even if you can read about these women in the New Testament. On 23 October they and other women were the focus of attention at a #himmelsleuchten event of the Katholische Frauengemeinschaft Deutschlands (
It was on its way again: This time the #himmelsleuchten backpack was in Hamburg, not only in the harbour but also in the Mariendom. A visit to the cathedral of the archdiocese of Hamburg is always worth it – not only if you’re travelling with a #himmelsleuchten backpack. More about it soon.
Some thoughts on the Extraordinary Missionary Month October 2019
On Sunday, November 17th, is the 3rd World Day of the Poor. Pope Francis has placed this day under the motto „The hope of the poor shall not perish forever“.