Life and Faith among the Catholic Sorbs

The nucleus of Sorbian territory coincides almost exactly with the Catholic part of Sorbian Lusatia in the area between Bautzen, Kamenz, and Hoyerswerda. Here Christian faith and Sorbian national consciousness live in fruitful harmony. Customs and traditions here are the expression of a self-understanding moulded by the Catholic faith. Especially the solemnities of Sundays and the many festivals of the Christian year determine the life of the individual, the family, and the village community. The Sorbian language is here the dominant mother-tongue. Deep family ties are the basis of hospitality and local patriotism. A gladly accepted Sunday duty is listening to the Sorbian radio programme and reading the Sorbian weekly Katolski Posoł (The Sorbian Messenger). Many of the listeners and readers, including children and young people, are also contributors to these popular media.

The church activities of the approximately 15,000 Catholic Sorbs take place in the nine Catholic parishes within firm structures but with open-mindedness towards modern forms. In these parishes there are children's choirs and groups for those who assist atmass. Practically all schoolchildren participate in parish or school religious instruction. The regional pastoral-care office considers itself responsible for the young and reaches several hundred young persons. It has its own premises. Hallowed by custom, several times a year pilgrimages to Rosenthal are held, of which the one on Whit Monday has become a true manifestation of the faith of the Sorbs, uniting several thousand people. Of unsurpassed solemnity are the processions of the Easter Riders on Easter Sunday, involving over 1,300 horsemen in nine processions.

Scarcely anywhere else in Germany is it possible to find such lively faith. So it is not surprising that it keeps most Sorbs in their homeland and that many of those that have left it long to return.

Love for their homeland and an absolute feeling of belonging together gives the Sorbs an unshakable belief in their enduring existence. It is their custom to pray, using the words of their poet Jakub Bart-Ćišinski († 1909): "Božo budź miły, zdźerž strowy a čiły do skónčenja časow mój serbski lud!" ('God, be merciful, and keep my Sorbian nation healthy and vigorous until the end of time!')

Gerat Wornar, Priest in Storcha

Further information is available from:
Cyrill-Methodius-Verein e.V
Póstowe naměsto 2
02625 Budyšin / Bautzen
tel. : 0 35 91 / 55 04 05 or 55 02 10