Regensburg revives ‘Hausbuch’ tradition:
Benedict XVI gets copy of the Sonntagsbibel
Translated from the website of the Diocese of Regensburg
November 7, 2017
Regensburg’s Sonntagsbibel (Sunday Bible) has reached the Eternal City. The 11-man editorial team led by Bishop Rudolg Voderholzer visited Benedict XVI at Mater Ecclesiae on Monday, Nov. 6, to give him a copy of the book which contains texts from Benedict XVI.
The Sonntagsbibel is a contemporary revival of the Hausbuch tradition among German Catholics, a tradition that Joseph Ratzinger grew up in. So the new book was for him a reminder of his childhood, when the Ratzinger children began their Sunday on Saturday night. Their father would read to them from such a Hausbuch, a compendium of prayers and readings meant to be used at home. He recalled this tradition when he spoke to participants at the World Meeting of Families in Milan in June 2012.
He told the Regensburg delegation how beautiful these Saturday evening readings were for him and his family. The emeritus pope also told them he was very touched and happy to meet so many friends from Regensburg on this occasion.
In the postwar world, there were very few attempts to revive the tradition of liturgical house Bibles, and such attempts were usually ‘small’ ones. Regensburg’s Sonntagsbibel is the first to attempt it on a major scale.
In 960 pages, the book contains the two readings and the gospel for all Sundays and holidays of the three-year liturgical cycle. All the readings contain an appropriate commentary taken from the COMPLETE WRITINGS of Joseph Ratzinger and his papal texts to underscore not just his love for Scriptures but also his bond with his Bavarian homeland. It is illustrated with artwork contributed by diocesan members.
On the morning before the Regensburg delegation met with Benedict XVI, Mons. Voderholzer said Mass for them at the Hungarian Chapel near the tomb of St. Peter. He thanked his team for the work they had done on the Sonntagsbibel, and noted with great joy how many positive responses the diocese has been getting for the project.
Mons. Voderholzer presented each of his team members individually to the pope and informed him what role they played in the project: Apart from Mons. Voderholzer and his Auxiliary Bishop Josef Graf, the team includes: Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Gradl, Professor for Exegesis of the New Tetament at the Theological Faculty of Trier, and a priest in the diocese of Regensburg; Wolfgang Stöckl, leader of the diocese’s Catholic adult education; Gabriel Weiten, Mons. Voderholzer’s theological adviser; Dr. Maria Baumann, who is in charge of the Diocesan Museum; Prof. Dr. Sigmund Bonk, head of the Albertus Magnus Academic Forum; Dr. Albrecht Weiland, representative of the Schnell & Steiner publishing house; photographer Anton Brand; graphics designer Manfred Cuno; and Falk Flach, who was in charge of typesetting.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 10/11/2017 14:36]