The Pope's trip to Bavaria: souvenirs invade Regensburg
The black, red, and gold flags that crowded Germany during this summer's World Cup, have been replaced with white and yellow flags, at least in the city of Regensburg. The city has been filled with buildings and cars bearing the white and yellow of the Vatican , as it prepares for Pope Benedict XVI's upcoming visit. The Pope is making Regensburg one of his stops during a six day trip to his Bavarian homeland. |
In addition to the flags, Regensburg has also been filled with souvenirs. Countless plates, candles, glasses, and cups bearing the Pope's image are filling stores and sidewalk stands in anticipation of the numerous tourists and pilgrims that will come with their distinguished and much loved guest of honor - Benedict himself. A local brewery has even crafted a special type of beer for the Pontiff, who will arrive on September 12 th.
Adding to the mood of anticipation, the city has also been plastered with posters welcoming Benedict XVI. Workers, driven by the upcoming event, are speedily replacing cobblestones on the Cathedral Square . Even the large door on the west side of the Cathedral, which has been closed for decades, will be ready for a reopening to coincide with the Pope's visit.
Father Heinrich Wachter, was the one who had the idea of creating the pontifical car flags for the men in his Marian group, stating that "they wanted to share the joy and enthusiasm shown for the last World Youth Day in Cologne, and also that displayed for the last World Cup. To see the little flags with the Pope's shield in many automobiles is an occasion for their drivers to greet each other enthusiastically while driving across the city."
"For us as Catholics, Wachter added, "it is a great joy to have a German Pope. The flags are a symbol of our faith and solidarity. My dream is that in a few days everyone in Regensburg might have a flag."
Wachter's dream may become true; in the last few days he has received more than 700 requests for the flags, each request for a box of 100 to 150. Father Wachter said that he himself tested the flags in his drive and is certain that they can even resist the high speeds of the highway.
Father Wachter said he has known the former Cardinal Ratzinger personally for many years, due to the fact that he lives near Fr. Georg Ratzinger, the Pope's brother. Just before Easter last year, he had the honor of sharing a dinner with the Pope and his two secretaries.
Obviously, Wachter said, "it was mandatory to speak the Bavarian dialect."
Beer brewed with incense marketed as "Benedict drink"
While several Bavarian breweries have caught the spirit of Pope Benedict's visit to his former homeland by creating special brews for the occasion, an inventor in the Ruhr region has prepared and launched a special beer infused with incense. The novelty beer is being marketed under the name of "Benediktrunk" (Benedict drink).
In a small bar near a stone bridge, Uwe Fritz exhibits, among other regional products, his original trilogy of drinks, a dark beer, a clear beer, and a lemonade - all of them with an innovative new ingredient, incense. In addition to his original idea to brew the beers Fritz decided to produce the lemonade after learning that it is Benedict XVI's favorite drink.
Fritz said he had the idea of producing drinks with incense after when he read the writings of Saint Hildegard of Bingen. The popular German Saint spoke highly of the medicinal and analgesic qualities of incense.
A friend of Fritz's designed the label, with a view of the city under the paternal gaze of the Pope. Now they are just waiting for the arrival of the Holy Father, who has already received a sample in Italy . No word whether or not he liked, or even tried it.
Source: ZDF.de
