Summer brings with it a paradoxical phenomenon. Already by Christmas, the days begin to grow longer and brighter. And by St. John’s Day on June 24th (six months before Christmas Eve), the shortest night arrives. Yet, it is only now that we truly begin to feel the essence of summer. For those who wish to consciously experience the start of summer, the Mariastein Monastery offers several opportunities:
The medicinal herb garden is currently in full bloom. Once a month, Beate Eckerlin leads a themed tour for interested visitors on a Friday at 4 p.m.
On June 24th, the birth of John the Baptist (St. John’s Day) is commemorated; liturgically, this day remains a major feast. During the 9 a.m. Mass with the monks, as well as in the daily prayers of the Divine Office, special remembrance is given to the herald and baptizer of Jesus Christ.
Musically, we celebrate summer on June 29th with a truly grand summer concert. The 12-member ensemble legerdemain, under the direction of Josef Laming, presents selected Baroque pieces (Corelli, Handel, and others) to showcase the evolution of the Concerto grosso. This form can be described as a contrasting, dialogical conversation—a small group of soloists alternates with the full ensemble. Corelli, in particular, made a significant impact with this style, leading to the development of new Baroque compositional forms and symphonies. At its core is always the dialogue between soloists and ensemble. Perhaps today, in a conflict-ridden world where meaningful conversation is increasingly difficult, reflecting on this dialogical virtue in music could offer comforting guidance.
The “Maria Trostfest”, the last major pilgrimage before the summer break, will take place on July 5th.
The Restaurant Post remains open during the summer (Tue–Sat, 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun 9 a.m.–6 p.m.).
A warm welcome to Mariastein Monastery!
