Parish Festival & Thanksgiving St. Rochus Broich-Peel

Parish Festival & Thanksgiving St. Rochus Broich-Peel — Lower Rhine Thanksgiving Tradition

On the weekend of September 19 and 20, 2026, the Catholic parish of St. Rochus in the Broich-Peel district will celebrate its annual parish and Thanksgiving festival. The Lower Rhine Thanksgiving festival has deep roots in the Catholic rural areas between Mönchengladbach, Erkelenz, and Mülheim — it combines church liturgy (festive service, procession, Thanksgiving crown) with village community gatherings. The focus is on giving thanks to God for the year's harvest — symbolized by the festively decorated harvest crown made of ears of corn, fruits, and flowers.

The Program — Faith, Tradition, Community

The parish festival follows a classic schedule passed down through generations:

• Festive Service in St. Rochus Church, led by the pastor and the church choir
• Thanksgiving Procession with the harvest crown, riflemen's banners, and clubs through the district
• Communal Lunch after the service — typical Lower Rhine dishes (Sauerbraten, Reibekuchen, Currywurst, Pommes)
• Coffee and Cake in the afternoon — homemade specialties from community members
• Live Music and Performances — brass bands, acoustic acts, children's choir
• Activities for Children — bouncy castle, face painting, craft stations
• Cozy Gathering in the parish courtyard or hall until the evening

The St. Rochus Schützenbruderschaft as Main Partner

The St. Rochus Schützenbruderschaft Broich-Peel organizes the parish festival together with the parish. Riflemen's traditions and parish life are closely linked in Lower Rhine customs — the brotherhood provides banners, musicians, festival tent logistics, and ensures the typical Rhineland cheerfulness. In 2026, other important dates for the brotherhood will also take place: the Prunk- & Heimatfest Broich-Peel (May 30 – June 2, 2026), the Corpus Christi procession (June 4), and the big Oktoberfest Broich-Peel on October 17.

Broich-Peel — District on the Border

The Broich-Peel district is located in the west of the city of Mönchengladbach, on the border with the city of Erkelenz and near the Dutch border. It is a rural district with small farms, stables, and an active club structure — typical for the western Lower Rhine region. The Catholic parish of St. Rochus is one of the social centers of the area, alongside the Schützenbruderschaft and the local sports club.

Mülheim an der Ruhr and Mönchengladbach Region

Note: During database entry, the city of Mülheim an der Ruhr (Broich-Peel district in the Mönchengladbach-Mülheim border area) was registered. The parish festival is part of the Lower Rhine Catholic tradition, which has significance beyond city limits. Worth seeing in the region are the Lower Rhine landscape with meadows, farms, and the Maas/Niers floodplain — and of course, the Mönchengladbach city center with its Minster, Rheydt Castle, and Borussia-Park.