Solemn Blessing Granted to Ilverich by First Waycruises
In the picturesque village of Nierst, a new wayside cross has been erected and blessed, marking a significant addition to the local landscape. However, contrary to popular belief, the project was not led by the Lank Homeland Circle or the Ilverich Citizens' Association.
Karl-Heinz Thelen, a member of the Lank Homeland Circle, spearheaded the project for both associations. The Nierst Citizens' Association was involved in the celebration, while the Ilverich Citizens' Association and the Lank Homeland Circle were not directly involved in the erection of the cross in Nierst.
Interestingly, the wayside cross in Nierst was blessed at the Seisthof, and no prayers were recited or a blessing asked for God during the ceremony, unlike in Ilverich where Pastor Norbert Viertel led the prayers, explained the significance of the cross in Christianity, and bestowed the blessing upon the new wayside cross.
The small blessing ceremony in Nierst also saw speeches from Franz-Josef Jürgens, chairman of the Lank Homeland Circle, and Harald von Canstein, from the Ilverich Citizens' Association. The ceremony concluded with a joint request for God's blessing for all who would pass by the wayside cross.
It is worth noting that wayside crosses, field crosses, image pillars, chapels, and holy figures in fields and meadows are cultural monuments with a long tradition. In contrast, the wayside cross in Nierst is not a cultural monument with a long tradition like the one in Ilverich, which was replaced during the ceremony.
The erection of wayside crosses or crucifixes in public spaces is now uncommon, making the new cross in Nierst even more noteworthy. A small celebration took place to mark the occasion, underscoring the importance of this religious symbol in the community.
