Christian communities celebrate Harvest Festivals in Austria and Germany

Christian communities in Austria and Germany held traditional Harvest Festival (Erntedank) services, focusing on themes of gratitude, sharing, and environmental stewardship.

In Gersthof, Austria, the parish celebrated the annual harvest under the motto ‘Not just mine!’, emphasizing the importance of sharing food with those in need. The service also served as a farewell to Father Matthias of the Lazarist Order, who has served the community for six years and will relocate to Freilassing, Bavaria, in November.

In Germany, parishes such as St. Klara and Franziskus in Main marked the festival alongside the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. Services included the ‘Transitus’ liturgy and featured decorated altars with harvest crowns. Participants expressed gratitude for daily life and freedom, while also offering prayers for the needy and the preservation of the climate.