A rare celebration

Source: Klemens. A Catholic weekly.

No. 52, September 20, 1900, p. 402-404

Google translated -  Adapted by Jorge Bohn

A rare festival was celebrated on 17 August (1900) in the colony Marienberg, Samara Governorate.  At this for Marienberg memorable days became its newly built church, whose image  Klement brings today, from His Excellency Our Most Rev. Lord Diocesan bishop according to the prescribed rite in a solemn manner consecrated.

The rarity and importance of this solemnity is certain to wake up the desire in each one; to take part. This wish I also harbored, and to my luck it was thanks to me gracious invitation of the gracious pastor of Marienberg, Mr. Fr. Löwenbrück, also granted, for the first time in my life to see a church consecration. - Glad I made myself on 26. August - it was Saturday afternoon - on the journey. On the Volga raged during that night a terrible storm, which in many places is great damage done. Although now our steamer is among the biggest the Volga belonged, I was in constant fear, to the celebration come late; because the terrible wind forced ours.

Ship captain, in a small bay - if you like the quiet place to call - throw anchor. The first time we did not succeed, the ruthless storm chased us away; but the second time succeeded the crew to assess the ship. "In this place we will be so long stay, our captain said, until Mother-Volga calms down a bit; it's not possible to do that in this storm to come to any office: with a terrible force, wind pushes us back”.

That this is really the case, we have in the previous station observed where the greatest effort of the ship crew were in vain: the ship could not stop, and the passengers were not dropped off. I feared that too; but soon the element subsided a little, and our steamer left his Sanctuary. 

The next day in the morning we arrived after eleven-hour drive - while you usually only need 4-5 hours - finally to Seelmann. From there I still had 25 versts on the car to cover. I immediately hired a carter and came to Marienberg just to the beginning of the ceremony. 

Excellence and the Priests, fortunately, did not have to go through these travel tensions . They left on Friday morning from Saratov and came to Marienberg on the evening of the same day. My duties did not allow me, much to my regrets I can not do many things on my own Intuition, but only reported by hearsay. So, over the reception of  Episcopal Grace in Seelmann and Marienberg, should have been brilliant. Yes, that was a true triumph! as his Excellency in Seelmann descended from the ships, met on the Kontor Church Priest, with Mr. Dean J. Beilmann at the top and 7 clerics; also representatives from the civil servants were to be seen. 

From the office Mr. Dean J. Beilmann led our pastor up the hill to a beautifully decorated triumphal arch, where the bishop's coach, the one that had already been brought from Saratov, where 21 pioneer, whose horses were decorated in a rural way, were ready. 

Now it went in solemn process under full bells through the village directly to Marienberg. 

On both sides of the train in great order a great crowd of people kneeling, receiving the episcopal blessing. The sight was really touching! As we leave the village behind course, a fast pace was taken, of course, and in 1½ hours we reached Marienberg, which was festively decorated: everything, all could  be was done there. 

At the village,  Y.E. Excellency left the carriage and passed under festive escort of the procession

on foot to the schoolhouse, where High Heels, after he presented kissing the crucifix, performing his prayers on a becket while the prescribed psalms were sung. We went to the rectory. Here were our diocesan superiors and the local singer choir from sung some welcome songs. The way to the schoolhouse and pastorate was green foliage, which could still be found at this late season, sprinkled and reached a decorated triumphal arch, which contained three inscriptions that may not sound highly poetic, but warm and heartfelt, which is the main thing. 

The first Triumphal arch with an inscription was placed at the entrance to the village. It read:

"The chosen high priest

Salvation and grace before the Lord!

The illustrious church prince

Greetings from near and far! "

The second inscription was attached to the schoolhouse and read:

"The beloved chief shepherd

Give us God a long time,

That He grazes and leads us

In the long, difficult argument ".

The last triumphal arch was erected at the rectory and carried the Inscription:

"The bishop given by God

We swear in faithful duty.

May storms break oaks,

Our loyalty does not waver ".

In the pastorate itself, one local artist beautifully painted large portrait of Our Bishop depended on an outstanding location… . As you can see, the tactful gentleman has did not omit anything, resulting in a worthy reception ..

And His excellency has also repeated and expressed his high satisfaction.

Saturday and the next days were for the invited priests hard days, because there were many hundreds of people to hear confession. 2,400 people were confirmed, most of them received the sacrament of penance; so you can so Imagine how emaciated the pastors were.  Work always fully. 

Sunday morning became the consecration of the church whose ceremonies took a long time, and one could only wonder how it was going to be.  The people compels admiration: from the early morning patiently stood around the church and nose, eyes and ears filled with dust. Attentive and curious they followed the individual ceremonies, each of which one so deep

has symbolic meaning. It must be noticed that it is relative that not much people were there, the church was not even filled as much it was to be expected on this high holiday, with  people from afar. As an excuse, the still unfinished field work and the bad weather apply. -

The new church in Marienberg

Marienberg seal

The ceremonial speech was given by PJ Gütlein. The strong wind prevented  everything was well understood. Speakers pointed out in a nutshell the history of the church construction, reminded the thanks they received from the people and their great hapiness, and then led briefly the Topic: "The Church heals and sanctifies us". This was followed by the Levitical Office.

What struck me was the polyphonic singing in Latin Language. Would that have been in this remote place, where the chorale still no entrance found, was not expected. Certainly that was not a long time ago artful singing, but at least a considerable achievement, considering the brevity of time and the complete absence of notes and can help the eager Marienberg schoolmaster, sir Günther.

After the Hochamte, which ended very late, found ourselves of course, all to the meal, the excellent in every way too must be said.

When the series came to the champagne,  Mr. Kurat stopped by Marienberg to the good of Our Most Rev. Lord Bishop following toast: "Your Excellency, Most Venerable Mr. Bishop! Your arrival has brought us many blessings: you have through the consecration of our new church to the service of the Holy Trinity,  you have made them the Bride of Christ, you have the crowning of the whole work and thus the reward for all trouble and labor, which were connected with the building of the church…  Besides,  Excellence through the Sacrament of Confirmation multiply the grace of a great number of my parishioners and the Giving Spirit to the fight against evil and growth good to stamp them as champions on the battlefield of Christ.

These are graces and blessings that call for the greatest thanks and I want this Episcopal graces in mine and mine parishioners names we offer this small offer …” (The berthing consisted in a nice collection of the episcopal initials and the coat of arms is red, the upper lid; Inside is the image of the top of the Church with a cordial dedication printed in Latin below dedication. On the last page is the portrait of Mr. Kuraten F. Löwenbrück.) Hardly were the last words of the toast died away, so also sounded from the healthy throats of Marienberger singers, who were gathered in the front building, vigorously said: "Right many years!"

Your Excellency answered with the following toast:

"Today we consecrated a church, which is the ecclesiastical one Piety of the Reverend Pastor of Marienberg and his Parishioners built among many sacrifices and with love of the Blessed Virgin have dedicated. They were generous with God, they refused God Lord no sacrifice that he required of them; they will also find that  God does not let himself be surpassed in magnanimity. You have good intentions, the work started and executed, and did not seek through Devotion to the good thing for your person to rise, as is often happening; you have subordinated egoism to the cause of God. You built this temple, not to shine before the world, but to prepare the Lord a beautiful home. It is always a comfort to be able to consecrate a bishop to a new church, for it is one proof of serious work on the soul. As God condescends to us, to take part in earth on our earthly dwelling, he waits, until He joins us, his children, in the dwelling of our heavenly one Father over the clouds. Thank you very much for this today turned to our divine Redeemer, because the blessing that He through lives in this temple, to all those who visit it often, creates children of justice and truth. God grant that the number of these true Christians is ever increasing! And by doing these words, I praise the Father of Heaven for the sake I do not doubt that in this parish Marienberg many Christians are those who seek nothing but the kingdom of God.  I am grateful for the heavy sacrifice and the great zeal for the house of God dear Diocesan of Marienberg, because they are the first ones in the Rownojer deanery have listed a splendor temple of stone. Sspecially I thank the Reverend Pastor who did it, as a true worker in the vineyard of the Lord, all his Parishioners, among whom were also doubters at first, so for the construction of the house of God, that the word "Where God is a church builds, the devil builds a sacristy next to it ".

Peace and love of work inspired everyone, and a parish priest sought that to outdo others in the service of the church. May our reverend Pastor Löwenbrück had been so blessed for a long time”.

The tireless singers left again from their abundant Liederschatze to sing several beautiful songs on the Fußharmonium accompanied. After the meal, His Excellency praised the singers to donate and inspire zeal for the good song. 

So Marienberg finally got a church, to which it rightly proud can be. But it took a long time for the work to be done.  About 20 years ago, under P. Shevchinsky, the start of the church constructionbegan. But dispute, strife and strife brought this matter faltered, and in vain did the priests try them to flow again. 15 years ago was more perfect standstill. Finally in 1895 PF Löwenbrück came to Marienberg and immediately won hearts through his tactics and his zeal for the soul all of his parishioners. They gave him unconditional trust and put this whole matter into his energetic hands. Now it worked with giant steps. A brick factory was built, 200 Desj. Kirchenacker ordered and also leased land. It  were sources from which the church was built. As 8000 rbl. were present, the beginning has already been made, and now the church is ready, pride of the community. To anyone who looks at her, it makes soothing impression. Certainly, there are many things that are different but the overall impression is good. Besides, for so little money, nothing extraordinary is required. The church comes to about 35000 rbl. to stand, with its inner Equipment and fencing included. But that was only possible be reached by agreement between priests and Community. Much, very much comes to a standstill when the Pastor is loving and indulgent towards his parishioners, and these to have faith in him. Not only in moral, but also in economic relationship. This we see again in the parish of Marienberg, where people are great and in every way making progress. But they are also proud of their pastor.

A resident from there told me: "Children's will be the The name of our good P. Löwenbrück still grateful in the mouth lead! "

I have set myself a memorial, more durable than ore. "I conclude with the Sr. Excellency's words: "May our High Commissioner Löwenbrück still working some time more so blessedly under his parishioners”.

Note: The translated text was taken from :http://wolgadeutsche.net/bibliothek/klemens/Ein_seltenes_Fest.pdf