Posted On 2021-03-08 In Covenant Life, Schoenstatt - Reaching out

#lightwindow

GERMANY, Maria Fischer •

“In these winter weeks, hundreds of people die every day as a result of the Corona virus, every day thousands of people are newly infected. Even if spring promises hope: this winter is still long,” reads the message on the official website of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The Federal President is calling for the #lightwindow campaign and will place a light in a window of Bellevue Palace in the evening from January 22, 2021, so that it is clearly visible. In doing so, he is remembering the many people who died in the Corona pandemic and those who are fighting for their lives in these weeks. He is sending a signal of sympathy and solidarity with all the relatives.—

With the #lightwindow campaign, the Federal President would like to encourage people in Germany to likewise place a light in their windows or even share a picture of it on social media with the hashtag #lichtfenster. The #lightwindowof the Federal President shone continuously (in darkness) from January 22 to 30, 2021. After that, until the state memorial service in April, it will always light up Friday night through Saturday morning.#.

#lichtfenster deutsche Bischöfe

Collage –  German bishops participating in the #lightwindow campaign (source: dbk.de)

A light burns for the deceased. In my window. At the place where I pray for them

The President of the German Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Dr. Georg Baetzing, appreciates the concern of the Federal President and hopes for the active participation of many people in Germany. Bishop Baetzing has written a prayer for the campaign. He invites people to say this prayer when lighting the candle. The #lightwindowaction is a strong sign of sympathy and compassion, he said. “I am grateful for the initiative, which I am happy to support. We Christians commemorate the day of Jesus’ death every Friday. In this remembrance we include the victims of the pandemic. With the candle in my window, I say: the relatives of the dead are not alone. A light burns for the deceased. In my window. At the place where I pray for them,” said Bishop Baetzing. He adds, “Let’s be mindful of one another and not forget those who have had to pass on.”

God, good Father,
you are close to people, in good and in difficult days.
Your light shine also now, in these difficult days and weeks of the pandemic.
Let this light be a sign of hope for all of us.

We pray for the deceased who have fallen victim to the pandemic and for their relatives.

We pray for the doctors, nurses and chaplains in the hospitals and homes.
We pray for the sick and the lonely.

Be you light to them.

Be you light to us.

Lord give eternal rest to our departed.
And shine the eternal light upon them.
Let them rest in peace.

Amen.

A #light window in Schoenstatt

And when, after several evenings with a candle in the window (lonely on the whole street), we simply searched what could be found of this action on Twitter and discovered the #lightwindow of the Marienau in Schoenstatt.

The light in the window of the Marienau as a sign and the prayer of Bishop Georg Bätzing “Let your light shine also now, in these difficult days and weeks of the pandemic. Let this light be a sign of hope for all of us.”

 In the midst of the people. In the middle of the church. That feels really good.

#lichtfenster Marienau

Original: German. Translation: Lindsay Burger, Ohio, USA

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