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Anniversary celebration of the Black Mother of God: Faith connects generations!
Pilgrimage week to the “Black Mother of God” in Cologne: 350th consecration anniversary with church services, lectures and celebratory masses from September 7th to 14th, 2025.
Anniversary celebration of the Black Mother of God: Faith connects generations!
In a few days a very special week will begin in Cologne - the pilgrimage week to the Black Mother of God. From September 7th to 14th, 2025, the city will celebrate the 350th anniversary of the consecration of St. Maria in Kupfergasse. An event that will be ceremoniously opened with a festive Marian Mass on Sunday, September 7th at 6 p.m. The people of Cologne are expecting a high-ranking visit: Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, the Archbishop of Cologne, will lead the pontifical office. Archdiocese of Cologne reports that numerous church services, devotions and festive masses will follow during the week.
Special guests are also on the program: On Monday, September 8th, Father Abbot Maximilian Korn, provost of the Augustinian Canons' Monastery of St. Michael Paring, will come to Cologne as a guest preacher. On Thursday, September 11th, H. E. Auxiliary Bishop Jörg Michael Peters, Provost of the High Cathedral Church of Trier, will speak, and Saturday, September 13th, belongs to Auxiliary Bishop Dr. Dominikus Schwaderlapp with another pontifical office.
A lecture with depth
The faith lecture will be particularly exciting on Friday, September 12th at 8 p.m. H.H. Prof. Dr. Dr. Ralf Weimann from Rome will speak on the topic “The meaning of the Mother of God at the end of time”. This promises to be a profitable event for everyone interested.
The Vatican's special envoy
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop Emeritus of Vienna, was appointed special envoy for the anniversary celebrations by Pope Leo XIV. This not only has a long history with the church, but will also celebrate the festival service on September 14th. Vatican News reports that the “Black Madonna,” also known as “Mother of Mercy,” remained bombproof during World War II.
The church is a central point of contact for Rhenish popular piety, and many people light candles in this place to ask for help and comfort. The celebrations also include the final mass of the octave of pilgrimage on Sunday, September 14th at 6 p.m., followed by an atmospheric candlelight procession.
A piece of history
The history of the Black Mother of God goes back to 1630, when the linden wood figure of the Virgin Mary was brought to Cologne by the “Discalced Carmelite Sisters”. In 1675 the Loreto Chapel was built to venerate the figure of the Virgin Mary. In the 18th century, the area received a baroque church, which marked the beginning of pilgrimages to the figure of grace - a custom that continues to this day.
The pilgrimage week not only offers an opportunity to celebrate, but also to reflect and renew one's faith in the heart of Cologne. Be there when the city is full of life and spirituality from September 7th to 14th, 2025!