Local pilgrims share videos, photos and more as they journey through Germany and Austria

June 27, 2022

Diocese of Saginaw

Photo: Pilgrims pose for a photo near Salzburg, Austria on June 26, 2022.

Bishop Robert Gruss is leading a diocesan pilgrimage in Germany and Austria right now (June 22 to July 1). A highlight of the journey was the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany. Every ten years, the village of Oberammergau fulfills a 400-year old promise to God to put on the Passion Play every decade in thanksgiving for sparing their lives during an outbreak of the plague.

The pilgrims are visiting many religious sites, including shrines and churches, and Bishop Gruss is celebrating Mass for the group each day.

Please continue to pray for our pilgrims.

group photo of pilgrims — **June 22-** Bishop Gruss and pilgrims (above) from the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw began their pilgrimage this afternoon to Germany and Austria. The highlight of the pilgrimage is the renowned Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany.

Below are photos from the Passion Play

three crosses

entrance

group before act 1 — June 25- Pilgrims pose for a photo shortly before going to the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany.

church in germany — Churches in Bavaria often appear elegant, yet simple, from the outside, but reveal almost overwhelming beauty on the inside, including this church where Bishop Gruss celebrated Mass before heading to Oberammergau for the Passion Play.

mass photo — Bishop Gruss celebrated Mass for the pilgrims.

Ruth talks about the Passion Play and her pilgrimage experience

Mary shares thoughts on the pilgrimage and Passion Play

Karen (below) shares about the group's first liturgy in Germany

On June 25, pilgrims (below) sing “Do-Re-Mi” from the movie “The Sound of Music” at the same park where the song was filmed in Salzburg, Austria.

Pilgrims (below) sing in the Silent Night chapel in Salzburg, Austria on June 26, 2022.

From the Silent Night Wikipedia page: The Silent Night Chapel (German: Stille-Nacht-Kapelle) is located in the town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg in the Austrian province of Salzburg, and is a monument to the Christmas carol "Silent Night", its lyricist Joseph Mohr, and its composer Franz Xaver Gruber. The chapel stands on the site of the former St. Nicholas Church, where on December 24, 1818, the Christmas carol was performed for the first time.

pilgrims in the alps — The pilgrims pose for a quick photo after Mass just outside Salzburg, Austria on June 26, 2022.