Month: December 2021
Most Catholics are familiar with the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, commemorating the three Magi’s visit to the infant Jesus. This day, celebrated on January 6th is also known as the Three Kings Day, Little Christmas or, Twelfth Night. However, some Catholics may not be familiar with the tradition of “chalking the doors” in celebration of this day. For centuries, the faithful have marked the entrance to their homes with a symbol of faith, asking that Jesus Christ bless all who live within the home. The message is as follows, [the first two digits of the year] + C + M + B + [the last two digits of the year]”. The “C”, “M”, and “B” stand for the names of the three Magi – Caspar, Malchior & Balthazar, and the “+” represents the cross. For example, in 2023 people will mark “20 + C + M + B + 23” in chalk above their front door. The message also abbreviates the Latin phrase, Christus Mansionem Benedicat, meaning “May Christ bless the house.”
For centuries this tradition has been carried out by our brothers and sisters in faith around the world. Any color chalk used can be used. This is a wonderful tradition to adopt to show all who visit your home that your faith is strong as you enter the New Year!
View the Full 206 Tours Pilgrimage Directory: www.206tours.com/pilgrimages
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Stephen J. Binz is a friend of ours who has been an active pilgrim for 30 years. He is also a speaker, biblical scholar, and author. In response to the pandemic, most pilgrims were unable to travel for two years. As travel begins to resume, Binz writes a sort of retrospective that examines the reasons and motivations of why people go on Pilgrimages.
Binz pulls on his experiences throughout the article and decides there are seven main reasons for “Why we go on pilgrimages.” He identifies; (1) experiencing a call, (2) marking a life transition, (3) honoring a loved one, (4) praying for a need, (5) enriching a marriage, (6) encountering God more experientially, and (7) joining with Christians across time and place.
For Binz, the journey is a big part of what makes pilgrimage so important. He says, “throughout the Bible, people encounter God in new ways when away from home and on a journey… In our tradition, people meet God in experiences on the road.” He provides several examples of biblical journeys like the ones had by Abraham and Sarah the people of Israel in the Judean wilderness, and the Holy family’s journey from Bethlehem to Egypt. A pilgrimage is not a vacation – it pulls you out of the comforts of your daily life and routine and forces you to journey outside of your comfort zones. It provides challenges, and in those challenges, many find God.
Similarly, Binz points out that so many Saints made pilgrimages in their earthly lives which contributed greatly to their life, ministries, faith, and ultimately Sainthood. He points out,
“many of the saints of old, when they experienced their conversion to a life devoted to God, marked that transition by going on pilgrimage, often journeying to Jerusalem or Rome. Arriving in the holy city symbolized the surrender of their lives to God. For similar reasons today, people experience the major transitions of life as sacred times, often associated with a desire for sacred travel.”
Every pilgrimage is a transformational experience – exploring a new place and culture, meeting new people, praying at holy sites – all of these factors create new experiences that change perspective, help pilgrims see their faith in new and deeper ways, and establish lasting transformative change that will bear spiritual fruit for a lifetime.
Finally, Binz looks past the pandemic, saying,
“As we look forward to a future with fewer COVID-19 restrictions, I know that people will be eager to travel again and that many will experience a deeper longing to go on pilgrimage. Like all genuine desires, there are reasons God instills these yearnings within us.”
We at 206 Tours could not agree more with this sentiment. In our 36 year history, it has been the Catholic Pilgrim who returns to travel first after devastating events. We saw in after the September 11th attacks, various wars, and even economic hardships. The reason for this is in times of fear or struggle, it is the faithful who prevail, for we know Who is in control, and we answer His call to pilgrimage!
Credit: “Why We Go on Pilgrimages.”Written by Stephen J. Binz | December 2021/ January 2022 – St.AnthonyMessenger.org | Original Format Here
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In a Newsletter released on December 20, 2021, the Passion Play team highlighted preparations for the upcoming production, which is scheduled to begin in May. The Newsletter provides a detailed overview of the Play’s centuries-long history, a closer look into the lives of the actors and production assistants, and an optimistic outlook on the 2022 production. The full newsletter can be viewed in its original format here: A special edition on the Oberammergau 2022 Passion Play
See the Play
With thousands of 206 Pilgrims booked and looking forward to the Oberammergau Passion Play, we’re gearing up for one of our biggest years yet. Most tours are sold out, however, limited space remains available on several select departures detailed here: Oberammergau Pilgrimages
206 Tours’ Favorite Highlights
History Repeats
In an article titled, “Excitement before the world event” the directing team is interviewed with specific regard to how the original Oberammergau Passion Play was initiated 400 years ago in response to a pandemic, a concept that has now returned to the forefront of our lives. The team acknowledged how our current situation has mirrored the plaque in the 1630s ago and has in many ways connected them to the feelings of desperation that the original townspeople of Oberammergau must have felt when they initially prayed to God to spare them and promised this play in thanksgiving.
When asked, “Do you think audiences in 2022 will be more receptive to the Passion story because of the Corona crisis?” Set and Costume Designer Stefan Hageneier answered;
“The pandemic changes everything, the view on the Play and the staging. Still – that’s what’s great about it – it’s a great narrative with great themes that have survived centuries. It will also survive Covid-19. The plague as the core of its origin story naturally gives the Passion Play this very special character, which has a lot to do with the pandemic anyway.”
Hear from the Stars
In an article titled, “The role is about inner conflict” the two actors who will play Jesus, Frederik Mayet and Rochus Rückel, are interviewed about their experience and outlook. In the interview, both actors express optimism and confidence that the play will go on as planned this summer, even with the continuation of the pandemic. The actors say the open-air theatre will be key as similar open-air festivals in Salzburg and Bregenz were successful in 2021. After months of preparation, both actors also agree that put down the playbooks in March of 2020 when the play was postponed. This year, they feel as though they’re not picking up where they left off but starting a brand-new production. As it had globally, the effects of the pandemic have significant effects on all of us. Rückel says he is at a “different point in life” now than he was two years ago, and states that his perspective has changed, quoting this excerpt from the play:
“‘There is a time of fear in Israel, war cries fill the land, poverty and disease ravage you, and you hunger and thirst for justice’ – I just rattled that through last time. Probably this time I will perceive some sentences quite differently, emphasize them more, think about them differently.”
A Director for Today
Director Christian Stückl is preparing for the first rehearsal of his fourth Passion Play at the helm – his tenure spans almost 40 years. In this production, he is striving to deliver a production that will uniquely resonate with audiences who have just struggled through the pandemic and the fear, anxiety, and uncertainty it has brought into our lives. Stückl says,
“Like every human being, [Jesus] knows fear – and yet he remains steadfast… it’s about a character who goes through life with great consistency. Who follows His idea of His God.”
What could resonate more in these present times? A human being, pushing through fear because of their faith in God. Throughout the pandemic, 206 Tours has had to postpone thousands of pilgrims, but our motto adopted throughout these two years has been – we will continue because we know Who is in control.
Stay Connected for Passion Play Updates
The Passion Play keeps an impressive online presence on its website, blog, newsletters, and social media accounts. To stay up to date with all Passion Play news, follow them online:
Credit: A special edition on the Oberammergau 2022 Passion Play: The publication was released in December 2021 and can be found in its original format here
Published by: Eigenbetrieb Oberammergau Kultur, Walter Rutz (V.i.S.d.P.), Ludwig-Thoma-Straße 10, D-82487 Oberammergau Texts, concept, interviews: Teresa Grenzmann Graphics: Dominik Schwarz Participation: Jenny Greza, Frederik Mayet, Franziska Seher
Merry Christmas from 206 Tours! Enjoy these 17 free printable coloring pages! This Christmas, make sure your kids and grandkids remember the Reason for the Season with these cute interactive activities that will bring their hearts and minds right to Bethlehem where Jesus Christ was born.
Click to Download the Full Free PDF below:
Reason for the Season Coloring Pages – 206 Tours
Alternatively, you can right-click any of the images below to save and print a single page if you wish! These coloring pages are a great way to keep kids busy during Christmas gatherings as well as engaged and connected to the significance of this most special Holy Day!
A pilgrimage is something that is great for the whole family and for Catholics of all ages! We welcome children on all our 206 Tours pilgrimages and also offer custom Private Pilgrimages for families as well. Email us at sales@206tours.com to learn more!
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