Giorgiomania

I intended to address the aftermath of Georg Gänswein's visit to Freiburg for Archbishop Robert Zollitsch's 75th birthday by adding a paragraph to my earlier blog. However, when today's Badische Zeitung printed two articles about Don Giorgio being in town, I decided to dedicate a separate blog to our guest.

Don Giorgio's apartment on Herrenstraße

Presently George is spending his vacation in the region, living in an apartment he still keeps on Freiburg's Herrenstraße. This is a decent place for a Curial Archbishop, for the street was named after the clerical dignitaries - like those of Freiburg's Chapter - who once had their houses in the shadow of the Münster Church.

George's doorbell

Vacation? No way! On yesterday's Assumption Day (August 15), it was natural that Archbishop Robert invited his colleague George to preach in the Münster Church. St. Mary's Assumption Day is the patronal festival of the Münster and hence one of the highest church holidays in Freiburg. It is the only day of the year when there is no Münstermarkt. The square stayed absolutely empty; however, the Münster Church was packed with 2500 people, and many women had come to catch a glimpse of handsome George.

Curial Archbishop Georg Gänswein (right) co-celebrating the Latin Mass (©BZ).

In his homily, Gänsewein addressed the complex topic of Pope Pius XII's Dogma on the bodily Assumption of Mary into heaven promulgated in 1950. Admitting that this dogma nowadays somehow "stands in the way," he explained that the tenet means God knows and loves the whole person, soul and body. Nothing precious to men and women will perish with death. God's love is the foundation of eternity, and those who love God will not perish. George spoke in German, but the Mass - did you expect anything else? - was read in Latin.

Following the festival service, Freiburg's Financial Mayor, Otto Neideck, invited Gänswein to the city's oldest town hall to sign the Golden Book. A Freiburg official whispered: Never before have I seen so many press photographers in our venerable Gerichtslaube.

Born in the Black Forest, George acknowledged his roots: Those who cut roots cut life. With this remark, he passed a plate to Neideck, who immediately filled it, mentioning the succession to Archbishop Robert. Yesterday, George modulated his previous statement about his future somewhat: "I have never striven for a position (That's what they all say). My previous jobs were all entrusted to me."

Get moving, Pope Francis!

Archbishop Robert Zollitsch and Financial Mayor Otto Neideck watching
Curial Archbishop Georg Gänswein signing Freiburg's Golden Book (©BZ).

You will find more about Georg Gänswein in two previous blogs on Pope Benedict's visit to Freiburg and President Joachim Gauck's visit to the Vatican.

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