Corpus Christi in Cologne
Come & See
Between Historic Ground, Conference Hustle, and God's Oases
Hello dear friends,
Over Corpus Christi, I was drawn back home to Cologne. Cologne and Corpus Christi—historically, they belong deeply together. Did you know that the world's very first documented Corpus Christi procession took place right here in the year 1279? On this very historic ground, I was blessed to experience days filled with encounters, miracles, and deep moments of recharging with God.
The Start: Procession and a Viennese Miracle
The weekend began traditionally on Thursday with the solemn Corpus Christi procession through downtown Cologne. In the evening, I was invited to a house group for a prayer night—a beautiful end to the day with deep praise and worship and strong community.
And right there, the first little miracle happened: completely unexpectedly, I ran into a good friend from Vienna! How God brings people together at the right time and the right place is always fascinating. In the meantime, he has even joined the mission team. Praise the Lord!
The "Come and See" Conference: When the Eucharist Becomes a Matter of the Heart
On Friday and Saturday, we headed straight to the packed X-Post venue for the big "Come and See" conference. This year, over 2,500 people attended—an incredible backdrop! This year's theme focused entirely on the motto: "The Eucharist as the Source of Our Unity."
Two talks by the keynote speakers moved and shaped me particularly deeply:
Cardinal Woelki's Teabag Parable: He compared us believers to a teabag in a very down-to-earth way. If you just lay a teabag dry on the table, nothing happens. Only when it is fully submerged in hot water does it release its aroma and transform the entire water. It is exactly the same with us and the Eucharist: only when we immerse ourselves deeply in communion with Christ does He transform us from the inside out, enabling us to transform the world around us.
Father Peter Wojcik's Keynote (USA): He got straight to the heart of the Church's missionary nature. He reminded us that the true essence of the Church is mission. When we fall in love with Jesus, that love helps us shift our focus away from ourselves and onto others.
A Real Highlight: Praise & Worship with Könige & Priester
An absolute highlight was the big concert with Könige & Priester on Friday evening. The hall was literally shaking! It was amazing to see thousands of people—whether young or old—become one in praise and worship. This music opened hearts and released an incredible joy that you could feel throughout the entire X-Post venue.
Recharging Batteries for the Introvert
Over the two conference days, I met countless new people and had many opportunities to share about the mission and the EMC. As a rather introverted person, this intense networking cost me a tremendous amount of energy.
I was all the more grateful for the true heart of the program: the times of Eucharistic adoration. Whenever my batteries were empty, I escaped there. It was in that very place that the image of the teabag came alive for me: I could simply sink into God's presence and let myself steep. Before the Blessed Sacrament, God faithfully and tangibly gave me back the strength I needed for those encounters.
The Conclusion and Divine Timing
The crowning conclusion of the weekend was the solemn Mass in the Cologne Cathedral on Sunday. Standing in this monumental building and praising God is a profound experience every single time.
That mission does not stop at the church doors was proven on the direct way back to the airport. A friend from Vienna and I struck up a casual conversation with a young man at the train station. Inspired by the words from the conference, God gave me the courage and the opportunity to share my personal testimony with him. I am incredibly excited to see what God will grow from this seed planted right there during a rail replacement bus service.
God is building His kingdom—on a large scale with 2,500 people in an event hall, loudly at a concert, and in the quietest way during a conversation on a bus.
With love and God's blessings,
Nici