- Title: 219 AT Vienna Easter Mass
- Date: 12th April 2020
- Description:Easter mass delivered from the empty St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna Catholic festival service from the St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna held by His Eminence Christoph Cardinal Schönborn exactly on the 75th anniversary of the cathedral fire. In the final days of the Second World War, flying sparks from burning houses in the vicinity caused a fire in the Gothic wooden roof truss. This led to the collapse of a supporting wall of the choir’s roof truss, which penetrated the vaults of the south and middle choir. In addition to most of the bells, the organ, the imperial oratorio, the Gothic choir stalls, and a number of other artworks were destroyed by the flames. During the cathedral fire on 12 April 1945, the cathedral organ in the west gallery was also affected by the roof truss fire and completely destroyed within a very short time. Thus, the cathedral needed a new organ. The contract was awarded to the organ builder Johann Michael Kaufmann after financial support from the Federal Republic of Germany had been received. It was consecrated on 2 October 1960. In autumn of 2017, work was begun to dismantle the giant organ and to transport the organ pipes to the Rieger company for restoration and adaptation. The organ was to be rebuilt in 2019 and consecrated by His Eminence Christoph Cardinal Schönborn at Easter 2020. Shotlist - lighting of the Easter Candle - entry of His Eminence Christoph Cardinal Schönborn - C/U angel figure - WS altar in front of empty church - SOUNDBITE (German) His Eminence Christoph Cardinal Schönborn: “Let us pray.” - C/U playing Giant Organ - singing acknowledgment - giant organ playing - SOUNDBITE (German) His Eminence Christoph Cardinal Schönborn: “75 years ago today, on April 12, 1945, the dome was on fire. The enormous top collapsed and the giant organ was destroyed by the fire. The Austrian people rebuilt the dome in an incredible cohesion. It became Austria’s most visited monument with 5,5 million visitors every year (pics from the ceiling) but now it is empty, nearly empty – but when I see these many pictures here from people who sent their photograph because they want to join in the celebrations, not only participate in their spirit, but celebrate for true, then I am full of confidence. “ - photographs of the faithful fixed at the benches - SOUNDBITE (German) His Eminence Christoph Cardinal Schönborn: “I was looking forward that the organ could be consecrated and blessed today, but now you are at home – no Easter visits, no church attendance with festive Easter service, so we are celebrating Easter Sunday today, so we were celebrating the past days, anyway it was very heartfelt. – The coronavirus does not make a difference between the persons, neither between nations. We are all concerned and we are all feeling one thing quite clear, and that’s important: we are one human family. The climate crisis already showed it, nobody remains unaffected. (00:02:44) I am full of hope because our country has good institutions. What connection with Easter? I am sure it has a lot to do with it. To place the common above individual interests –institutions prove themselves in times of crisis and need. “ - giant organ plays - SOUNDBITE (German) His Eminence Christoph Cardinal Schönborn: “the peace of the Lord be with you always, give each other a sign of peace. (00:03:38) We are not alone. And so I ask the Lord to bless you all. To the families, the alone, the fathers, the mothers, the children, a blessed Easter. May the Lord be with you. – And with your spirit. May you be blessed and strengthened in the joy about the resurrected by the Father, the Son, and the Saint Spirit.” - “Pummerin” bell ringing.
- Collection: ORF
- Genre:News
- Producer:ORF
- Transmission Date:12/04/2020
- Decade: 2020s