2006
Visit of the Trier Bishop
Reinhard Marx in Härtel forest on October 10th 2006.
The visit began with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m.
(c.e.t) in the Parish Church "Our Lady of the Assumption",
joined in the celebration by over 700 believers. At the subsequent light procession that led from the church to
St. Mary's Chapel, then took part in an even even larger crowd. With almost a thousand praying and singing
believers with their candles lit up the long train, Marpingen experienced one of the largest and most impressive
processions in recent years.
Pastor Leo Hofmann, to whom the diocese of Trier
transferred in December 2005 the pastoral responsibility for
the Marian devotion in Härtel forest, welcomed the procession participants in front of the Marian Chapel.
A particularly joyful welcome was addressed, of course, to Bishop Reinhard Marx, who then sent the word to
the faithful and with them prayed the rosary. The conclusion of the evening prayer with the episcopal blessing
was expected by all
participants.
The "Härtel forest" in Marpingen was an "important
place in the overall structure of a diocese." Without such places,
"the Church would be poorer and the life of faith would be colder and more sterile. Here mind and heart come into
their own ... ". With these words, Bishop Reinhard Marx had in his pastoral letter emphasized the importance of the
"place of prayer Härtel forest". In his welcoming in front of the Marian Chapel, he again emphasized this importance:
"Marpingen is and remains a living place of Marian devotion." Bishop Marx praised the "Härtel forest" as a place of
prayer, silence, contemplation and encouragement.
Even more than an evaluation of the site by Marian
devotion by words, the mere presence of the bishop had a great
effect, which was considered by many believers as a strong sign.