Bishop Jung enchants family pilgrimage with an ice cream truck surprise!

Bishop Jung enchants family pilgrimage with an ice cream truck surprise!

Yesterday was a very special day for the many children and young people who gathered in the forecourt of the pilgrimage church in Maria Weißenstein. On the occasion of the family pilgrimage and in a great surprise campaign, everything revolved around sweet, cold joy: Bishop Dr. Franz Jung took on the task of handing out ice cream to the little pilgrims together with the operator of the ice cream parlor 'Tre Valli', Dario Simonazzi. The idea behind this event was not only a refreshment for the young guests, but also a special celebration in honor of the bishop's consecration day. POW reports on the children's smiling faces and ice-smeared overalls as they were allowed to choose two scoops of ice cream in their favorite flavors such as vanilla, strawberry, pistachio and Nutella.

After Simonazzi took numerous photos with the children with Bishop Jung, the ice cream seller said goodbye to get his ice cream mobile ready to go. The reactions of the little guests were overwhelming and the joy was contagious - an experience that the families will certainly remember for a long time.

Invitation to the big family pilgrimage

Another highlight is already in the starting blocks: the invitation to the family pilgrimage in the holy year of 2025 is open. Under the motto “Pilgrims of Hope”, Bishop Franz Jung invites all families to make a pilgrimage to Maria Weißenstein from Whit Monday, June 9th, to Saturday, June 14th, 2025. This pilgrimage is organized by the Diocese of Würzburg and places particular emphasis on community and togetherness, both with Christ and with each other. Not only prayer and worship are on the program here, but also games and joy of life. spiritel.de emphasizes that the diocese significantly subsidizes family prices in order to enable as many people as possible to participate.

Families with two adults and children pay EUR 1,190, while single parents with children pay EUR 690. The registration deadline is February 28, 2025, and the pilgrimage is aimed specifically at families residing in the Diocese of Würzburg. If you have any questions about the program, please contact familienwallfahrt@bistum-wuerzburg.de.

Tradition and spirituality in the mountains

The Maria Weißenstein pilgrimage church is located at an altitude of 1,520 m and is a traditional place that has been attracting pilgrims since 1553. The members of the Servite Order have been taking care of the pilgrimage since 1718. The roots of this tradition go back to the miraculous healing of the farmer Leonhard Weißensteiner, which laid the foundation for the pilgrimage site. familie.bistum-wuerzburg.de points out that the call for applications will be published in autumn 2024 with all relevant information about registration and the program. Families who want to take part in this unique experience should prepare well in advance!