Celebrated Event: Ilverich/First Waycruises Officially Blessed
In the picturesque villages of Nierst and Ilverich, two separate events took place recently, each marking the erection and blessing of new wayside crosses.
The event in Nierst, held a few days after the one in Ilverich, saw the replacement of an existing cross with a new one at the Seisthof. The ceremony was attended by the Nierst Civic Association, and Franz-Josef Jürgens, chairman of the Lank Homeland Circle, delivered a speech. However, Pastor Norbert Viertel was conspicuously absent. Despite the contributions of Franz-Josef Jürgens, Harald von Canstein, and Karl-Heinz Thelen to the project, they were not thanked for their efforts during the event.
Meanwhile, in Ilverich, a group of 25 individuals from the local community and associations gathered at the Liekweg for the blessing of a new wayside cross. The ceremony was jointly organized by the Ilverich Civic Association and the Lank Homeland Circle. Harald von Canstein from the Ilverich Civic Association also gave a speech. Pastor Viertel was present to explain the significance of the cross in Christianity, say prayers, and bless the new wayside cross. Special thanks were given to the Ilverich Civic Association for their preparations for the small blessing ceremony.
Wayside crosses, field crosses, image pillars, chapels, and holy figures in fields and meadows have a long-standing tradition as cultural monuments. The construction of new crosses or crucifixes in public spaces is rare, making these events all the more significant. Despite the separate nature of the two ceremonies, all those present asked for God's blessing for those who would pass by the respective crosses in both Nierst and Ilverich.
It's worth noting that the search results do not contain information about who organized the construction of the new wayside cross in Ilverich before it was blessed. This information remains to be uncovered.
In conclusion, the events in Nierst and Ilverich serve as a testament to the enduring tradition of wayside crosses in these communities and the collective efforts of local associations to preserve and honour this rich cultural heritage.
