Wies Church in Bavaria

Out of the miracle of June 14, 1738, when tears were seen on the face of the Scourged Savior in the famous statue above the main altar, there rapidly developed a pilgrimage of unexpected proportions to this jewel of church in the outskirts of Bavaria.

In his 1779 booklet "Wahrer Ursprung und Fortgang der Wallfahrt des Gegeißelten Heilands auf der Wies" ("The True Origin and Continuation of the Pilgrimage to the Scourged Saviour in the Wies"), the Pilgrimage Priest of the Wies Church, Father Benno Schröfl, wrote: "What more can I say about this flow of grace, when all of Europe is streaming through: pilgrims from Petersburg in Russia, Göteborg in Sweden, Amsterdam in Holland, from Copenhagen in Denmark, from Christiansburg (i.e. Oslo) in Norway, from Nimes in France, from Cadiz in Spain, not to mention all the German provinces and neighboring kingdoms?". (Finkenstaedt, Th.u.H.: Die Wieswallfahrt, Regensburg 1981, p. 150).

To see this beautiful Bavarian church inspires one immediately to prayer.  Today, the main altar (which holds the famous statue) is no longer used.  Instead, the New Mass (in the Ordinary Rite) is said on a plain table in front of the space between the original sanctuary altar rail and schola seats.  It has been perhaps years since the Traditional Latin Mass, the Holy Sacrifice of Calvary has been offered on the main altar at the foot of the weeping icon.

What a humbling experience it was to serve that Mass again, as pilgrims had seen it for the past 300 years.

Here, Fr. Voigt offers the Mass served by Dr. D'Amico and myself.

The Ceiling over the cupola...

.. the pipe organ

One of the the Side altars.