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400 pilgrims of hope: men's congregation on the way to Altötting!
On October 18, 2025, 400 members of the Marian Men's Congregation made a pilgrimage to Altötting under the motto “Pilgrims of Hope”.
400 pilgrims of hope: men's congregation on the way to Altötting!
On October 18th, around 400 members of the Marian Men's Congregation (MMC) from Eichstätt made a pilgrimage to Altötting, and the motto of the trip was “Pilgrims of Hope”. This event took place as part of the Holy Year and was part of the joint Sodalen pilgrimage of the Bavarian men's congregations. The pilgrimage began in Heiligenstatt, led through Kapellplatz and ended in the Chapel of Grace of the Basilica of St. Anna, where a solemn Holy Mass was also held.
The mass was led by MMC President Capuchin Father Georg Greimel. During his sermon, Brother George focused on the importance of prayer. He quoted St. Francis de Sales: “You should pray for half an hour every day – unless you don’t have time, then pray for an hour.” He emphasized that in the hustle and bustle of life, prayer is even more important.
A look into history
The Marian Congregation (MC) has a long and venerable history, dating back to 1563, when it was founded by Jesuit Father Jean Leunis SJ. In German-speaking countries, the first congregation was founded in Vienna in 1573, followed by further foundations, including in Cologne in 1576. Pope Gregory XIII. confirmed the community in 1584 with the bull *Omnipotentis Dei* and officially placed it under the protection of the church.
Originally only men were organized in these congregations, which is why they are called Marian Men's Congregations (MMC). In 1751 women's congregations were founded - the Marian Women's Congregations (MFC). Today there are around 15 Marian men's congregations active in Germany, which number a total of around 45,000 sodalians, many of them in Bavaria.
The commitment of the Sodals
The Sodals, as the members of the Marian Congregation are called, are committed to living their lives according to the Christian faith and coming under the protection of Mary. They pray the rosary together every day and meet regularly for convents where current topics are discussed. This lay movement, which dates back to the 16th century, is characterized by a solid community of solidarity and a deep commitment to the well-being of others.
However, concerns are not unfounded: many congregations are struggling with the aging of their members. Young people who used to often follow their fathers after confirmation are rare these days. This presents the community with the challenge of attracting fresh ideas and new members in order to remain active and vibrant.
Overall, the most recent activities of the MMC and the numerous members present show that the tradition of faith and togetherness remains alive in the Marian Congregation. Diocese of Eichstätt and Wikipedia have reported that the Marian Congregations will continue to play a central role in church life, both in community and in faith.