Matzenbach Bild Chapel

A lonely forest clearing with a crossroads. She exhales calm and stillness. Under the tall spruces is a chapel, a place of pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary, the "Matzenbacher Bild". An easily traveled path of 1.5 km leads from Fichtenau-Matzenbach in the district of Schwäbisch Hall in a south-westerly direction.

The importance of this sanctuary in the forest goes far beyond the parish of Matzenbach. This is evidenced not only by the annual pilgrimage festival attended by thousands, the "Image Festival" - it is traditionally celebrated on the 2nd Sunday in September, shortly before the Festival of Seven Pains - but also by the constant attendance. Many communities make pilgrimages here. Candlelight processions and evening masses gather worshipers in front of the image of Mary. The May prayers on the May Sundays in particular attract people.

Even if these larger celebrations are more conspicuous, this place is above all a place of silent prayer. Here the praying person carries the burden and the joy of his life to the Blessed Mother and receives comfort and confidence from her. He is strengthened in faith by looking up to the Mother of believers.

THE MERCY PICTURE OF THE PAINFUL MOTHER OF GOD

It must have come from the year 1761 - the wood-carved image that forms the center of the pilgrimage site and also gave it its name. Because this chapel is simply called the "image" or the "Matzenbacher image".

The Pieta recalls the deepest suffering of the Blessed Mother Mary: she mourns the dead Jesus after the crucifixion on her lap. She directs her gaze beyond the martyred son to the beholder, as if to say: "See if a pain is like my pain."

But the look of the Sorrowful Mother expresses perhaps something else. She, the suffering queen - wearing a crown and royal robes - points to faith. Through him she mastered her suffering in a royal manner. Mary is presented here as a model of faith: she allows herself to be led by God without reservation, courageously stands her ground even in the darkness of suffering and trusts in God's promises.

In its current version, the miraculous image stands in front of a pane of glass leading to the outside.
Source: pilger-reisen.de/pilgerorte/matzenbach/matzenbach.htm

This chapel is in Fichtenau in the district of Schwäbisch Hall, Baden-Württemberg.

Further information:
- fichtenau.de/index.php?id=222

- ardmediathek.de/swr/video/landesschau-baden-wuerttemberg/die-matzenbacher-bildkapelle-in-fichtenau/swr-baden-wuerttemberg/Y3JpZDovL3N3ci5kZS9hZXgvbzExNzUwMTA

Easy-to-walk forest path, no particular difficulties. Part of the path runs along the motorway, which is very noisy.