LEONHARDIRITT

What's it about?

One of the largest traditional events in the state of Upper Austria is the Leonhardiritt (Leonhard ride) in Pettenbach. It starts at 9:00 AM at the Parish Church of Pettenbach, with a blessing around 9:45 AM followed by the Rittmesse (ride mass) in the Church of Heiligenleithen. For many centuries, parish rides and animal blessings have been conducted at or near Leonhard churches, as Saint Leonard is the patron of domestic animals. Emperor Joseph II eventually banned these pilgrimages. The Leonhardiritt was introduced in 1931 and has been held in its traditional form ever since, on the Sunday closest to November 6th, the feast day of Saint Leonard. Around the Leonhard festival, numerous foot pilgrims from neighboring parishes come to Heiligenleithen. The ride is a pilgrimage from the Parish Church of Pettenbach to the pilgrimage church of Heiligenleithen. Many riding clubs from the area participate with decorated Noriker horses, whose riders are dressed in traditional peasant costumes, crowning the ride. Another tradition is the spiritual leader. For many years, Benedictines from the Kremsmünster Abbey have performed this role, as the parish of Pettenbach is a monastery parish of the abbey. At the church in Heiligenleithen, the horses and their riders are blessed by a church dignitary and receive a piece of consecrated bread, called the Maulgabe. Afterwards, the ride mass is celebrated in Heiligenleithen. The Leonhardiritt is organized by the Leonhardiritt committee and decorated by traditional associations such as the Goldhauben women and the music club. Recently, a small cultural program has also been added to the Leonhard festival. On the Saturday before the Leonhardiritt, a classical music concert takes place at the church in Heiligenleithen.

Where?

Kirchenplatz 15

Organiser: Leonhardiritt-Komitee