Credible role models: Bishop Oster invites you to prayer in Parzham

Credible role models: Bishop Oster invites you to prayer in Parzham

In the Passau area, an important prayer meeting of the Passau clergy took place in the Bruder-Konrad-Hof on October 27, 2025. The Solemn Vespers, led by Bishop Stefan Oster, placed the “authenticity and quality of prayer” at the center of his sermon. The bishop spoke about the importance of the credibility of Christians and their way of communicating about God. At a time when society is changing, he encouraged those present to examine themselves - especially to be good prayers and credible role models, especially for the youth. The listeners were asked to critically question their inner faith life in order to offer young people a reliable example.

Bishop Oster thanked everyone for their loyalty in their service and emphasized that cooperation and mutual reinforcement among the clergy are essential factors for the future of the diocese. In this spirit, Vespers ended with a common prayer for spiritual vocations before the evening came to a close in a convivial atmosphere. Such meetings have not only spiritual but also communal significance for the participants, who support and empower each other. Diocese of Passau reports that this type of exchange offers essential impulses for one's own faith experience.

Importance of prayer

For many faith communities, prayer and the exchange of prayer are a central part of their identity. The use of prayer and scripture is also considered essential on the Neocatechumenal Way. This path promotes personal faith life and strengthens the community. While addressing these aspects at Vespers, Bishop Oster underlined the importance of seeing prayer not only as a personal practice, but also as a communal tool that connects the faithful. Further information on this topic is available on the website Stefan Oster to find.

The connection between spiritual life and personal commitment is crucial today. Many people are looking not only for spiritual depth, but also for community and support in their faith. The wishes for spiritual revival and mutual strengthening were clearly felt at Vespers. It is hoped that such events will continue to take place in the region and that clerics will engage in dialogue with each other to meet the challenges of their missions.

Overall, the example of the meetings of the Passau clergy reinforces the need for a living faith, nourished by prayer, that holds the community together. It is times like these that show that religious life is alive in Bavaria and will continue to find new ways to reach people in the future.