On Corpus Christi, the body of Christ is carried through the streets in a monstrance. In many regions, special traditions have developed over the centuries that make the festival an impressive experience - especially through processions on rivers and lakes. These extraordinary celebrations take place in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, among other places.
From land to water
The Corpus Christi processions have their origins in the 13th century. Pope Urban IV introduced the holiday in 1264 in order to intensify the veneration of the Eucharist. These processions symbolise Christ's presence in the Eucharist and serve as a public profession of faith.
Originally, such processions took place in towns and cities, but over time the tradition of holding them on the water developed in many areas.
Festively decorated carriages
In the Christian tradition, water symbolises life and purification. A celebration on a lake or river combines the worship of the holy sacrament with nature and is a reminder of spiritual purity. Such processions take place particularly in the Alps, on Lake Constance, on the Bavarian lakes and in river valleys in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The Corpus Christi procession takes place on Lake Hallstatt on many traditionally decorated boats, the so-called "Fuhren". The local Corpus Christi marksmen begin their contribution to the procession at six o'clock in the morning. They start at the edge of the village and travel across Lake Hallstatt to the church. Traditionally, a shot is fired every hour on the hour from a boat on the lake.
Since 1632, Corpus Christi has been celebrated in Traunkirchen with a procession on the lake. Numerous festively decorated boats accompany the main and counter procession to three stations. Visitors have the opportunity to experience the procession on the water, either on a guided tour or in a decorated electric boat from the local boat hire company.
Every year, Seehausen am Staffelsee hosts a procession on the lake that is unique in Bavaria. After Holy Mass, the procession travels by ferry to the island of Wörth. Accompanied by numerous small boats with festively dressed worshippers, the procession recalls the presence of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine. Once on the island, the congregation gathers at the altar of St Simpert Chapel.
The blessing over river and land
Further north, on the Rhine near Cologne, the Mühlheimer Gottestracht takes place. It was first mentioned in a "Weistum" from the 16th century. Today, the procession, accompanied by a large parade of boats, moves from the Church of Our Lady to the landing stage north of St Clement's Church, where the Blessed Sacrament is brought onto the "MS RheinFantasie". Surrounded by passenger ships and private pleasure craft, the route leads upstream to the former city limits of Mülheim. The Köln-Düsseldorfer Schifffahrtsgesellschaft ship then drifts up to the Clemenskirche church. There, the traditional "blessing over river and land" is given.
Anyone can take part in the procession. Tickets are available for the journey on the procession boat. You can also travel on an accompanying boat. If you are travelling on a private boat, please register informally.
Reverence for the forces of nature
The Corpus Christi processions on rivers and lakes are not only a religious ritual, but also an expression of cultural identity and closeness to nature. For example, the procession takes place because the well-being of the people of Mülheim once depended on the Rhine. By blessing the land of the former free city of Mülheim am Rhein and the river, the inhabitants pray that the mighty river will remain tamed and not destroy the fruits of their labour as a force of nature.
