Thanksgiving in Schönau: A celebration of faith and community!

Thanksgiving in Schönau: A celebration of faith and community!

On October 27, 2025, a festive service to celebrate Thanksgiving was held in the Schönau parish. Pastor Rupert Wimmer welcomed the believers and led the ceremony, which made thanks for the blessed harvest the central theme. The beautifully decorated Thanksgiving altar, decorated with fresh fruits and colorful flowers, was displayed by the parish council, while children and families from the local kindergarten brought decorated baskets of fruits to the altar. Pastor Wimmer took the opportunity in his sermon to emphasize the essential role of faith in the abundance of the harvest. At the end of the service he expressed his gratitude for the musical support from the church choir.

Harvest Festival is a traditionally celebrated event in Germany that has its origins as an agricultural festival. The German Girl in America explains that the festival is usually celebrated on the first Sunday in October, which in 2025 fell on October 5th. The Catholic Church set this date in 1972 to position it after St. Michael's Day on September 29th. The festival originally served to give thanks for a good harvest and to celebrate in community.

Cultural and religious significance

Thanksgiving has deep religious roots and is celebrated in both Catholic and Protestant churches. Traditionally, the church's altar is decorated with ears of wheat, fruit and large loaves of bread, and the event includes singing and celebration, often supplemented by a second service in the evening. Many communities celebrate the festival with lantern parades and fireworks displays.

In addition, it is reported that in wine-growing regions, Thanksgiving is also celebrated as a wine festival. In some regions there are even three-day celebrations, starting with a mass on Friday. One of the delightful traditions is the election of a harvest queen, who leads the celebrations wearing a wreath of wheat. In some areas, such as Pomerania, the last ear of corn is shaped into a figure called “The Old Man,” which is taken to the local squire.

Sustainability and supply

The festival is not only an occasion for celebration, but also a moment of reflection on man's dependence on nature. Many communities share the harvest offerings with those in need after the festival, which underlines social responsibility and togetherness in the community. By remembering the hard-earned harvest, Thanksgiving strengthens awareness of sustainable agriculture and the appreciation of food.

The first records of Thanksgiving celebrations can be traced back to early Christianity, although in the Roman Catholic context the festival was documented as early as the 3rd century. The modern Thanksgiving festival is also reminiscent of a variety of earlier customs that are celebrated in different cultures around the world. These festivities, as described in the historical context of Wikipedia, often date back to pre-Christian traditions and demonstrate man's deep connection to the earth and its gifts.