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Church of the Assumption of Mary in Deggendorf receives the title of Münster!
On October 12, 2025, the parish church of the Assumption of Mary in Deggendorf was elevated to a cathedral, an important award from Bishop Voderholzer.
Church of the Assumption of Mary in Deggendorf receives the title of Münster!
On October 12, 2025, a significant event took place in Deggendorf: the parish church of the Assumption of Mary was opened by diocesan bishop Dr. Rudolf Voderholzer was officially promoted to minster. This is a special honor that has only been given to a few churches in the diocese of Regensburg. Only the parish church of St. Johannes in Dingolfing previously received this title, which is awarded due to the historical and cultural relevance of a place of worship. Mayor Dr. Christian Moser spoke of a “historic event” for the city and emphasized the role of the church as a social center.
The solemn occasion was celebrated with a pontifical mass at which numerous representatives from the church, politics and society were present. Among the guests were the dean Josef K. Geismar and Pastor Franz Reitinger, who organized the festive service together with the congregation. The decree of elevation was read out, in which the extraordinary architectural history and the high-quality church music of the Assumption of Mary were honored.
Importance of the survey
The awarding of the title “Münster” takes place as part of an initiative by Bishop Voderholzer, which was launched on the occasion of the Holy Year 2025. In addition to the Assumption of Mary in Deggendorf, the monastery church of St. Anna in Gotteszell and the parish church of St. Johannes in Dingolfing were also honored. The criteria for the award include liturgical charisma, art-historical qualities and the church's role as the spiritual center of its community.
The parish church of the Assumption of Mary, built in the 17th century, is one of the largest churches in the diocese of Regensburg and impresses with its unique artistic furnishings. A special feature is the high altar, which bears the world's largest gold crown in honor of Mary, Mother of God. These details, together with the symbolic design such as the orientation of the church and the significant architecture, underline the relevance of the church for the region.
A celebration for the community
The solemn service was not only a spiritual celebration, but also included musical accompaniment. The Church Choir of the Assumption of Mary and orchestra musicians under the direction of Regina Jocher performed “Missa brevis in B” by W. A. Mozart. The soloists – Julia Renz-Köck (soprano), Edina Bräu (alto), Mario F. Eckmüller (tenor) and Marcus Weigl (bass) – contributed to the celebratory atmosphere and received great applause. After the mass, the community invited people to refresh themselves in the Kolpinghaus, followed by a shared vespers in the now honored cathedral.
The elevation to the status of a cathedral is not only an honor, but also an invitation to the community to design the church as a living place of faith. Bishop Voderholzer referred to the meaning of the term “church” as a gathering of God’s people and expressed the wish that the community would continue to actively participate in the life of the new cathedral.
The next cathedral elevation in the diocese of Regensburg will take place on November 16, 2025 in Gotteszell. With such honors, the diocese, one of the oldest in Germany, focuses on the cultural and spiritual significance of its churches.