Festive service for St. Nicholas: Bishop Graf inspires in Altötting!

Festive service for St. Nicholas: Bishop Graf inspires in Altötting!

On December 20, 2025, a great event took place in the Pontifical Basilica of St. Anne in Altötting: the 15th St. Nicholas Pilgrimage, during which around 75 St. Nicholas actors from different regions came together. The highlight was a festive service led by Auxiliary Bishop Dr. Joseph Graf. This mass was celebrated for the first time in the large church hall, which gave the event a very special atmosphere. In his sermon, the auxiliary bishop emphasized the Christian mission of the St. Nicholas actors, whose commitment sends an important sign of mercy for the needy and marginalized, as [bistum-regensburg.de](https://bistum-regensburg.de/news/weihbischof-dr-josef-graf- Feierte-festgottesdienst-in-der-paepstlichen-basilika-st-anna) reports.

The service in the basilica was accompanied by numerous celebrants, including Father Fabian, Brother Marinus and deacon from Wigratzbad as well as seven altar boys from the parish of the Assumption of Mary in Würding/Inn. The celebration was musically provided by the Lallinger Singers under the direction of Gebhard Schöffmann. Relevant topics were addressed in the sermon, particularly the gospel from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 1:26-38), which is recited in many churches during Advent. Little Max also provided an amusing moment when he asked Auxiliary Bishop Graf to be allowed to hold his crosier.

Significance of the pilgrimage and the St. Nicholas service

The St. Nicholas pilgrimage is not only a celebration, but also a great expression of community spirit. Christian Wieser, who has taken over the overall organization since 2017, thanked the auxiliary bishop and all participants. The largest group of participants came from Hals near Passau, but Santa Claus actors from Offenberg, Bernried, Würzburg, Ulm, Ingolstadt, Landshut as well as from Upper Austria and Styria were also present. Wieser particularly emphasized the importance of volunteer work, which enables and enriches this tradition.

The pilgrimage is also a celebration of thanks after a busy St. Nicholas season. After the service, the Santa actors marched in a procession to Kapellplatz, where they handed out chocolate Santa Clauses to waiting children. This shows how the St. Nicholas service in kindergartens, schools and retirement homes is understood as a witness to faith that brings joy and mercy into the community.

The patron saint Nicholas – a worldwide veneration

In addition to the festivities in Altötting, Saint Nicholas of Myra also has a special significance in the worldwide Catholic Church. Nicholas lived in Myra, which is now in Turkey, in the 4th century. He is considered a model of charity and is known for his acts of charity, such as the story in which he helped three poor virgins with gold for their dowries. These stories and his reverence connect all of Christianity and show how important St. Nicholas' message is, both in the East and the West. While in Western countries the focus is primarily on folk customs, in Eastern traditions a deeper theological meaning awaits believers. In the Russian Orthodox Church, Nicholas is considered one of the most important saints and occupies a particularly high place alongside Christ and Mary, as catholicnewsagency.com highlights.

St. Nicholas culture has gained in importance in recent years and shows that the spirit of St. Nicholas is not only lived in moderation, but in the fullest sense of the word. Whether through special campaigns during Advent or through the festive pilgrimage in Altötting - St. Nicholas lives, and with it his message of love and mercy.

In the coming period, the St. Nicholas pilgrimage will certainly continue to grow and become a lasting tradition for many people that focuses on the spirit of community and help for people in need.