From hills that border our village, you can see in distance towers of Worms Cadral, silhouette of city on Rhine. At this historical site, 500 years ago decisive battle raged, which finally ended Middle Ages and helped reform of Christian faith to a breakthrough.
Not so, however, in villages around city. While in worms city population and large parts of clergy moved to new doctrine, most of village remained faithful to old faith. So also Wiesoppenheim, my village. Up to present day re is only one steeple, Catholic parish church of St. Martin. The village has crosses and a field chapel. On Corpus Christi The streets were previously decorated with colourful decorations, flags hung from houses and a flower rug was lying on street up to chapel. Only priest who wore holiest in monstrance was allowed to walk over this rug.
On All Saints, black-clad villagers formed a long train to cemetery, praying rosary. On field of God pastor n blessed graves. As a altar I was allowed to give him holy water bucket.
Alexander Görlachis a professor at Harvard University College and a visiting scientist at Center for Social Sciences at University of Cambridge, England. From his first communion until his Abitur in Worms, he was a measuring servant at Catholic parish Church of St. Martin in Wiesoppenheim.
The church was part of everyday life. And when it rang from a church day to a funeral, teacher sent four boys and girls to service. Of course, re was no free of charge. In school, a crucifix was hung in each classroom, in morning it was prayed.
Marriages of Catholics and Protestants were not liked to be seenOf course re were and also Protestants in our village, many came after war, when city bombed had. Since bells of village church had been melted in war by Nazis, pastor gared at his sheep and Lurans alike to acquire a new bells, coupled with promise that it will henceforth be for all deceased, whatever Confession, will ring.
That was in a time long before ecumenism became daily business. When my grandmor, a raised Luran from city, 1988 died, I am, a child still, with my mor in parish and pastor has, as it was custom, later day Bells rung.
Denominational differences were, of course, neverless made: when my mor wanted to marry a Luran, pastor stood and, when he failed, in anor attempt congregation of my grandparents at door to my mor's this endeavor Out. Since my grandfar himself was married to a Protestant, however, he let both of m flash.
My mor was married because of resistance of pastor in neighbouring village. This was also predominantly Catholic, but still has an impressive Protestant church in Art Nouveau style. When I was baptized, Sperenziens heard again: I was baptized Catholic.
Date Of Update: 01 November 2017, 12:03
