Steinfeld Calling — Hermann-Josef-Fest 2026

Faith, Culture, and Community at Kloster Steinfeld

From May 16th to 17th, 2026, the festival "Steinfeld Calling" will take place at Kloster Steinfeld in the Eifel town of Kall — on the occasion of the traditional Hermann-Josef-Fest. The festival combines the medieval pilgrimage tradition to Saint Hermann-Josef of Steinfeld (c. 1150–1241) with a contemporary cultural and encounter program. Motto 2026: "Faith. Culture. Community." The organizer is Kloster Steinfeld GmbH, program director Martin Reinicke, music director Erik Arndt, moderation by radio journalist Katia Franke.

Saturday, May 16th, 2026

5:30 PM — Solemn Vespers with Relic Elevation

Opening with solemn vespers in Steinfeld Basilica. The liturgical highlight: the elevation of the reliquary of Saint Hermann-Josef. Musical accompaniment: students of the Hermann-Josef-Kolleg (high school at the monastery).

7:00 PM — Rostfrei Live in the Cloister + Grill Stand

In the cloister, the band Rostfrei will play a set of contemporary pop-rock music — the combination of the Gothic cloister and a live band is the festival's signature atmosphere. Parallel: suckling pig and grilled specialties from the region.

10:00 PM–11:00 PM — Facade Illumination with Sound Design

Highlight of Saturday evening: the illumination of the monastery facade with projected light images, combined with specially composed sound design. One hour of quiet, impressive light play on the baroque basilica facade.

Sunday, May 17th, 2026

9:00 AM — Pilgrimage March from Kall-Krekel (7 km)

The traditional pilgrimage march starts at St. Barbara Church in Kall-Krekel and leads approximately 7 kilometers through the Eifel to Steinfeld. Hiking boots, own pace, collective arrival at the monastery.

10:00 AM — Pontifical High Mass with Archbishop Heße & Mozart's Requiem

The pontifical high mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Stefan Heße from Hamburg (Archdiocese of Hamburg). Musically accompanied by the Steinfeld Basilica Choir and Orchestra with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Requiem in D minor, KV 626 — Mozart's last, unfinished work.

11:00 AM–6:00 PM — Interactive Circus, Market, Grill

All day Sunday: interactive circus for children, gastronomic market with regional vendors, grill stand, drinks. Atmosphere like a monastery festival with a festival character.

Further Program Points on Sunday

• 11:15 AM–2:00 PM: Musikverein Hümmel plays live
• 11:30 AM: Magic Circus performances for children and families
• 12:30 PM and 3:30 PM: Basilica tours
• 2:00 PM: Devotion and procession with tractor blessing — Eifel rural tradition
• 3:00 PM–3:30 PM: Children's music performance
• 3:30 PM–6:00 PM: Cover band as festival finale
• 6:00 PM: Festival conclusion

Monday, May 25th, 2026 — Reliquary Enshrinement

Additional program point: 6:00 PM Enshrinement Mass for the Hermann-Josef reliquary in its permanent location in the basilica.

Kloster Steinfeld and Saint Hermann-Josef

Kloster Steinfeld was founded in the 12th century as a Premonstratensian abbey and is now part of the Salvatorians. Saint Hermann-Josef was a Premonstratensian canon and one of the first German mystics. His veneration made Steinfeld a regional pilgrimage site as early as the Middle Ages, and the tradition continues to this day. The Eifel is part of the Euskirchen district (North Rhine-Westphalia) and a tourist pilgrimage, hiking, and nature destination between Cologne and the Belgian border.