More than 30 Catholics from all the Nordic countries gathered, just after the midsummer heatwave had come to an end, for the theological study days organised by Ansgarwerk at Haus Ohrbeck near Osnabrück. This was the 52nd time the study days had been held.
To mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, this year’s theme was “Ich glaube an Jesus Christus” (I believe in Jesus Christ). Through biblical study, the history of faith and church art, the participants explored how faith in Jesus has developed and how it has been expressed in different periods and contexts.
Professor Hans-Georg Gradl guided the participants through the New Testament and the question of what it really means to believe in Jesus Christ – a faith that has continually also faced opposition. What speaks in favour of believing in Jesus, and what, in turn, distances people from faith?
Carmelite Father Michael Plattig OCarm presented the image of Jesus in the spiritual history of Christianity. Beginning with Origen and John Chrysostom, he led his listeners through the great Carmelites of the early modern period and finally to thinkers of the 20th century.
Professor Margit Eckholt spoke about the ecumenical significance of the Council of Nicaea today. She based her presentation on the confession that the Triune God has revealed himself in Jesus Christ. She also reminded the participants that the search for the truth of the Christian faith, and its conceptual formulation, are rooted in the liturgy.
Modern spiritual music was presented by Martin Tigges, Director of Church Music for the Diocese of Osnabrück, who also led the participants in singing together. Andrea Dorner from the diocesan museum explored the development of the image of Jesus in art. In order to understand a work of art, it is often necessary to interpret not only what is present, but also what is absent.
At the end of the rewarding course, the participants once again set off for home with grateful hearts. We are grateful to Ansgarwerk and the local Franciscans for making it possible for us to gain new perspectives on our faith and to encounter one another.
Marko Tervaportti
German-speaking Catholics who are active in the Church and interested in the Osnabrück Study Days may contact Deacon Marko Pitkäniemi.