Maria am Gestade (EN): where the city’s patron saint never lived, but now rests...

Geschrieben am 14.11.2024
von Niki Haselsteiner

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Maria am Gestade was already the church of the Danube boatmen in the High Middle Ages and was renovated in Gothic style around 1400. Since the 19th century, it has been cared for by the Redemptorists, which is why the city's patron saint, Clemens Maria Hofbauer, now rests here.



Clemens: Baker, Priest, Patron Saint of the City

Saint Clemens Maria Hofbauer was a Redemptorist and passionate preacher who worked in Vienna, moving many people with his sermons and dedicating himself especially to the poor and the sick. After being expelled from Poland, he began his missionary work in Vienna, emphasizing that the Gospel must always be proclaimed anew.



Inspired to Gratitude

Many people feel gratitude and express it here. Numerous ex-voto plaques next to the side altar bear witness to their thanks for the help and answered prayers they have received.

A Call to Pause and Give Thanks

In this jubilee year, this pilgrimage route—the path of faith to the cathedral—invites people to pause and give thanks to God, perhaps also through the intercession of Saint Clemens, the Virgin Mary, or other saints encountered along the way through the city center.

The Redemptorists are deeply grateful to Saint Clemens for his inspiring message: to always find new ways to proclaim God's love in the world.

 



Well-informed, the pilgrimage of faith continues.
 

Here you will find important information for the pilgrimage of faith to St Stephen‘s Cathedral: contact details of the church location, opening hours, the further course of the route to the cathedral, as well as exciting background information and additional links.


Contact: 

Salvatorgasse 12, Stiege 2
A-1010 Wien

Tel.:
+ 43 / 1 / 533 95 94 - 0
maria-am-gestade@redemptoristen.com
redemptoristen.com/maria-am-gestade

 



Klemens-Weckerl

 

 

Since 1914, Saint Clemens has been the patron saint of Vienna. At that time, the Viennese bakers created a special pastry in his honor: the Klemens-Weckerl.

Around Saint Clemens' feast day in March, this traditional pastry can be found in selected Viennese bakeries, or you can simply bake it at home.


Klemens-Weckerl Recipe

(From the Grimm Bakery – The Original Klemensweckerl)

Ingredients:
  • 250g plain wheat flour
  • 250g rye flour
  • 1 cube of fresh yeast (Germ)
  • 1.5 level tbsp sugar
  • 2 level tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp whole caraway seeds
  • 400ml lukewarm water
Preparation:
  1. In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in about 50ml lukewarm water, then crumble in the yeast and dissolve it completely.
  2. Mix the flour, salt, and caraway seeds in a large bowl and add the yeast-sugar-water mixture.
  3. Knead with a dough hook, gradually adding the remaining water. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 15 minutes.
  4. Lightly dust with flour and "punch down" the dough gently to release air and fermentation gases. Let it rise again for 15 minutes.
  5. Shaping: The dough is very soft. Flour your work surface, turn the dough onto it, and gently fold it into a dough roll. Cut into about 15 pieces and shape as desired.
  6. For the original Klemens-Weckerl: Press each piece twice to create a slightly thicker middle section.
  7. Carefully place the rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  8. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for about 25 minutes.
  9. Place a bowl of water at the bottom of the oven to create steam.


glaubensweg zum Dom | pilgrimage of faith to St Stephen‘s Cathedral
via << Dominikanerkirche &  
St. Ruprecht <<



glaubensweg zum Dom | pilgrimage of faith to St Stephen‘s Cathedral
via >> Schotten &  
Malteser Hospitaldienst >>



Blessed Restituta Kafka


For decades, the large Czech community in Vienna gathered at Maria am Gestade with the Redemptorists. For little Helene Kafka, who later became Blessed Sister Restituta, it was also a spiritual home in her childhood.

(More about Blessed Restituta can be learned at Karlsplatz.)

 


Finally, a thought from St. Clement Maria Hofbauer:


Have courage! God is the Lord; He guides everything. Let yourselves be led by God, and all will be well.

(And set to music with Suno.com:)


Lord, now you must help!

 

Which pilgrimages of faith lead to St. Stephen’s Cathedral?