In the earthly valley of tears there is sometimes a need for solace and distraction, which many people look for today, for example at FC Bayern’s home games. In the past, when football was not yet a religion, Mary, the Mother of God, was primarily responsible for comforting people of all kinds. The remarkable tradition of Marian devotion in Bavaria is demonstrated by the numerous pilgrimage sites and churches that are under the patronage of Our Lady, not to mention all the place names that bear her name (Maria Thalheim, Maria Steinbach, Mariaposching).
The most important Marian holiday of the year is the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, celebrated on August 15th. Consequently, numerous churches celebrate their patron saint on this day. For example, the famous Cistercian church “Mariä Himmelfahrt” of the Asam brothers in Aldersbach, which is certainly one of the most beautiful Marienkirchen in Bavaria. Furthermore, baroque, beer and the art of brewing perfectly combine in Aldersbach. Another curiosity is the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Sammarei in Lower Bavaria. Where else are two churches in one? In Sammarei, the early Baroque church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, completed in 1631, was simply built over the original wooden church.
open detailed viewThe former Cistercian monastery in Aldersbach with its famous church.
(Photo: Armin Weigel/dpa)
In Bavaria, the Feast of the Assumption is also known as the Great Women’s Day. The Feast of the Birth of the Virgin Mary on September 8 is considered the Day of Little Women. On the Great Women’s Day begins a cycle strangely called the “Women’s Thirty”. But the riddle is easy to solve. The Women’s Thirty lasts 30 days and ends on the Feast of the Name of Mary (September 12). It is worth mentioning for those interested in the language: Women’s Day and Woman Thirty Years should not be understood as plural, but it is an ancient genitive (“of a woman”), as dialectologist Ludwig Zehetner knows. This is exactly why Munich Cathedral is called Frauenkirche (“our dear women’s church”). In fact, the eggs laid by the hens during this period were in high demand. They were called thirty female eggs and were reputed to be particularly durable.
Although we have had many weeks of high temperatures, the nights are now slowly cooling down. Around the time of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the power of the summer solstice wanes visibly, the end of summer begins, which also heralds the time of the great folkloric festivals, whose tents are richly decorated. This ornament, in turn, recalls the herb bushes and the consecration of herbs or shrubs, which is celebrated on the feast of the Assumption of Mary. This has a long tradition. Blessing formulas for herbs have been known since the 10th century. In these days, it is said that a special blessing is in the roots and herbs.
Dealing with sacred tufts is a science in itself. A mullein often forms the center of the tuft. Most of the herbs that are scattered around the center come from the country house’s classic garden, which used to be inspired by Italian monastery gardens. Medicinal herbs in particular have been found in the shrubs, such as wormwood, chamomile, yarrow, cornflower, St. John’s wort, peppermint, elderberry, and hazelnut branches. Grains were also included, namely ears of oats, rye, barley and wheat.
After the consecration, the herb bush was and is hanging to dry; after all, it should last a whole year and protect people and livestock from harm. Bright colors and a strong smell characterize a particular herb bush. If a cattle was sick, parts of the tuft used to be mixed with the feed. If there was a storm on the horizon, the farmer’s wife would throw a sacred herb into the fireplace to protect the house and yard from lightning and hail. The objective was threefold: promoting growth, warding off disease, warding off ghosts.
“Isa Maria!”
Plants were cultivated primarily for their utility. The Schmeckerl, i.e. the heavily scented Southernwood, which was placed on the bodice, received special attention. In times without doctors and pharmacies, knowledge of the healing powers of herbs was essential for survival. That’s why there was never a shortage of leeks, the miracle herb, as it was called in Chiemgau. The juice was rubbed with pork fat and you had an ointment for all sorts of ailments.
However, Santa Maria was not invoked only in times of need, her name is still called in moments of astonishment or even misfortune. “Santa Maria”, the interested party calls in such cases, strongly emphasizing the adjective and lengthening it: “Santa Maria”. Even more popular is the link with the name of her son Jesus: “Jessasmaria”. Here the speaker places the greatest emphasis on Jessa when he expresses his alarm: “Jessasmaria, it’s autumn again.”
From an emancipatory point of view, Maria’s position is also interesting. Her special position in the doctrine of the faith was first confirmed at the Council of Ephesus in 431, but it was not until the 20th century that the dogma of the Assumption of Mary received the Vatican’s blessing.