Corpus Christi 2025: Festive lake procession inspires in Hallstatt!

Corpus Christi 2025: Festive lake procession inspires in Hallstatt!

On Thursday, June 19, 2025, the Corpus Christi is celebrated all over Austria, an important high festival in the Catholic church year, which is always celebrated on the second Thursday after Pentecost. In the Gmunden region, visitors can expect a special ceremony: the Corpus Christi procession, which is held on both land and water. tips.at reports of the deeply rooted traditions that this day brings, especially at Lake Hallstätter and Traunsee.

The procession itself is an apparent commitment of faith. The central component is to wear the Blessed Sacrament in a magnificent monstrance. Here, being on the go with Christ Re symbolic, while the participants publicly show their creed. These impressive sea processions in Hallstatt and Traunkirchen have their roots in the 17th century when the celebrations were relocated to the water due to lack of space. The first documentary mention of the Hallstätter See procession dates from 1623, which makes it one of the oldest of its kind.

festive celebrations at Lake Hallstätter

In Hallstatt, the Corpus Christi procession is great on the water. Due to the limited space on land, this tradition has established itself. The procession, which was introduced by the Jesuits, pulls on the waves of Lake Hallstatt, while in the background the Majestic Salzberg, which forms the livelihood of the region. At the beginning of the festival, the high office in the parish and pilgrimage church "Our dear woman on the mountain" takes place at 9 a.m. Then the procession moves through the picturesque place and to the lake, where there are a total of four blessings, such as Hallstatt.net

The first blessing station is located on the market square, followed by the war memorial, the Kernmagazinplatz and finally an honor on the lake itself, for the "Fate Mountain". During the blessing stations, baroque songs are specially composed for Hallstatt, and the Corpus Christi shooters announce the various sections of the procession with shots that start at 6 a.m.

procession in Traunkirchen

Not only Hallstatt stands out, this procession also in Traunkirchen, which has been taking place since 1632, also has its own traditions. Here the high office starts at 8.30 a.m., followed by a festive train with the priest and the Blessed Sacrament. The "Himmelsfuhre" and "Counter Driving" are used at 9:30 a.m. and the procession leads to various stations on the monastery and the Johannesberg. In Traunkirchen, the traditional hymns fly across the water and create a festive atmosphere.

For the Corpus Christi processions, the participants not only give their commitment to faith, but also experience a day full of community and cultural heritage. A special highlight this year is the diamond priestly anniversary of Pastor August Stögner, a founding member of the Hallstatt Corpus Christi shooter.

do not miss the opportunity to take part in these beautifully traditionally shaped celebrations and to experience the good news that katholisch.at to the point: Jesus as the lively bread that combines faith and enriches life. It promises to be an unforgettable day!