Leonhardi-Pfingstwallfahrt Inchenhofen

A pilgrimage with over 700 years of history

The Leonhardi Pilgrimage to Inchenhofen has been documented since the 13th century and developed in the late Middle Ages into one of the most important South German pilgrimages. St. Leonard of Limoges was particularly invoked during cattle plagues, famines, and captivity – concerns that were real in the predominantly agricultural Bavarian-Swabian region for centuries. Inchenhofen, a market town in the district of Aichach-Friedberg (Swabia, Bavaria), thus became the most famous St. Leonard pilgrimage site in Germany.

Whit Monday as the main festival

While Inchenhofen is also visited on St. Leonard's Day in November, Whit Monday is traditionally the great festival of the Brotherhood of St. Leonard: Several thousand pilgrims from over 30 parishes arrive in the market town on foot, in procession, by bus, or with accompanying vehicles. Some parishes start early in the morning; for example, the group from Wiedenzhausen traditionally sets off at 5 a.m. and doesn't reach Inchenhofen until 3 p.m.

The old vows – root of the pilgrimage

A special feature of this pilgrimage is its vow character: Many parish groups fulfill promises made by their ancestors three to four centuries ago – as thanks for being spared from plague, cattle diseases, or war. Thus, hardships from the 17th and 18th centuries continue to have a liturgical impact today. The pastor and mayor of Inchenhofen regularly emphasize this in sermons and speeches: "Tradition is lived here."

The daily schedule

• Morning: Arrival of the pilgrimage groups, each individually welcomed in the market square with ringing bells; joint Eucharistic celebrations in the St. Leonard's pilgrimage church.
• Midday: Refreshments for the pilgrims in the market town's inns; on busy Whit Mondays, the sausages are already sold out by lunchtime.
• 1:30 p.m.: Solemn Brotherhood Mass in the pilgrimage church.
• Afternoon: Festival procession with flag delegations, the Brotherhood flag, and all participating associations through the market town.
• Evening: Farewell to the pilgrimage groups with ringing bells.

In 2024, for instance, Augsburg's former Bishop Viktor Josef Dammertz celebrated the Pontifical Mass; the parish choir and orchestra performed Mozart's *Missa brevis in C major*.

The St. Leonard's Pilgrimage Church

The St. Leonard's Pilgrimage Church is one of the most important late Gothic-Baroque sacred buildings in Bavarian Swabia. Its long pilgrimage history is reflected in the countless votive tablets, iron chains, and offerings preserved inside. The church is also considered one of the central pilgrimage sites in the Diocese of Augsburg – a visit is worthwhile even outside of the Whit Monday pilgrimage.