Ecumenical Mass
The ecumenical Oktoberfest and memorial service took place on Thursday, September 21, in the Marstall festival tent. It is aimed at the landlords and showmen - but also Wiesn guests were invited to pray together for a peaceful Wiesn in the Marstall festival tent.
Festive sermon and baptism in the beer tent
First and foremost, the service is aimed at the Wiesn staff. Here, deceased showmen and showwomen, market traders and innkeepers are commemorated. In addition, the service offers all showmen the opportunity to baptize, first communion and confirmation of their children. However, the service is of course open to the public and is also addressed to the visitors of the Oktoberfest.
Before the service, the 14-month-old William, son of the showman couple Victoria Schneider and Philipp Frank, was baptized evangelically. The sermon was held by Pastor Sascha Ellinghaus, head of the Catholic Circus and Showman Chaplaincy of the German Bishops' Conference. Musically, the service was accompanied by the choral music of the Junge Domkantorei.
Wiesn service: prayer instead of beer in the Marstall festival tent
The Wiesn service is a firm tradition at the Munich Oktoberfest. It was held for the first time in 1956 by the head of the Catholic Circus and Showmen's Chaplaincy, Father Heinz Peter Schönig. The service itself is ecumenical and is led by Catholic and Protestant pastors.
From 1956 to 2013, the Hippodrom was the venue. In 2014, the service was held in the Fischer-Vroni. Since 2015, it has found a new regular place in the Marstall festival tent. Prayers are said here together for a peaceful Wiesn.
