Laacher Orgelkonzert mit beiden Orgeln im Dialog

When the Laach Festival Week begins in mid-August, attention this year will be focused not only on the Benedictine Abbey’s time-honored program, but also on a special anniversary: 100 years ago, Pope Pius XI elevated the Romanesque abbey church of Maria Laach to the status of a minor basilica.

By conferring this papal honorary title, the Holy See recognized not only the historical and art-historical significance of the church. The distinction was also bestowed upon the Benedictine community and its special commitment to the preservation and renewal of the liturgy. To this day, the title is linked to an enduring mission: to celebrate the liturgy with special care, to convey the faith in a living way, and to preserve the basilica as a place of prayer and spiritual encounter.
As part of the celebrations, high-ranking representatives of the Catholic Church and the worldwide Benedictine community—including Bishop Dr. Stephan Ackermann of Trier, Abbot Primate Jeremias Schröder, OSB, and Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, Archbishop of Cologne—will gather at Maria Laach. They will celebrate the main services of the festival days together with the abbey.

The festivities will begin on Saturday, August 15—the Solemnity of the Assumption—with a solemn pontifical Mass presided over by Bishop Dr. Stephan Ackermann. The service begins at 10 a.m. in the abbey church. Ackermann has led the Diocese of Trier since 2009, which also includes the Benedictine Abbey of Maria Laach.
On the evening of August 16, the abbey invites guests to a festive concert titled “100 Years of the Basilica minor” in the abbey church at 7 p.m. The Cappella Lacensis will perform a program featuring works by Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. The choir is known for church music rooted in the liturgy that has garnered attention far beyond the region. The concert is held under the patronage of Prof. Monika Grütters, former Minister of State for Culture and Media
On Sunday, August 23, a festive Mass will follow at 10 a.m., presided over by Abbot Primate Jeremias Schröder OSB. As Abbot Primate, he represents the Benedictine Confederation, which unites Benedictine congregations and monasteries worldwide. His official residence is in Sant’Anselmo in Rome.
The festive week will conclude on Tuesday, September 8—the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary—with a Pontifical Mass celebrated by Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, Archbishop of Cologne, at 5:30 p.m. Afterward, there will be an opportunity to join in a communal dinner at the monastery restaurant. Reservations are requested.

Looking Ahead
However, the celebrations marking the “100 Years of the Basilica minor” anniversary extend beyond the Laach Festival Week. On Sunday, December 13—the third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday—the new Apostolic Nuncio to Germany, Archbishop Dr. Hubertus van Megen, will celebrate a Pontifical Mass in the abbey church at 10:00 a.m.
The Benedictine Abbey of Maria Laach cordially invites you to join in the celebrations and commemorate the “100 Years of the Basilica minor” anniversary together. The complete program and further information are available on the abbey’s website.

An overview of all events during the festival week

Saturday, August 15, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
Abbey Church
Pontifical Mass with Bishop Dr. Stephan Ackermann, Bishop of Trier

Sunday, August 16, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
Abbey Church
Gala concert “100 Years of the Basilica minor” with the Cappella Lacensis
Works by Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Patron: Prof. Monika Grütters, former Minister of State for Culture and Media

Sunday, August 23, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
Abbey Church
Festive Mass with Abbot Primate Jeremias Schröder OSB, Rome

Tuesday, September 8, 2026
Abbey Church
4:30 p.m.: Pontifical Vespers
5:30 p.m.: Pontifical Mass with Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki, Archbishop of Cologne
Followed by a communal dinner in the monastery restaurant; Reservations are requested.

For more information, visit www.maria-laach.de

Press contact:
Maria Gassauer
mv.gassauer@maria-laach.de
02652-59 482