Christmas - Austria / II. Republic of Austria 2005 - 55 Euro Cent

The Advent stamp 2005 shows the pilgrimage chapel "Maria Heimsuchung", a watercolor by dr. Reinhold Stecher, Old Bishop of Innsbruck, who is not only valued in his homeland, but is also known and loved as a book author and illustrator of his books far beyond the borders of Tyrol. Hilarity and humor characterizes Stecher's works. The most famous are "Message of the Mountains", "Tracks into the Morning", "Cheerful-contemplative around the crosier", "Cheerful and serious under the Mitra", "The quiet sides of Christmas", "Moments". Bishop Stecher also has a gifted hand as a painter. In his expressive landscape watercolors, he plays with the light as if on an organ, reflecting in it a piece of the gospel which he proclaims to man as a priest and bishop. He dedicates the proceeds of his paintings exclusively for charitable purposes. Dr. Stecher, born in Innsbruck in 1921, joined the seminary in 1939 after finishing high school. In 941 he was imprisoned for two months after a protest pilgrimage by the Gestapo and then drafted into the Wehrmacht. After the war, he continued his studies, was ordained a priest in 1947 and was henceforth active as a religious educator. In 1981 he received the episcopal ordination and led the Diocese of Innsbruck until 1997. Today Dr. med. Stecher as a pastor in Rum near Innsbruck. The pilgrimages to the small chapel "Maria Heimsuchung" had been witnessed by Bishop Stecher himself. Since the end of the 17th century, this place has been a special refuge for students in need of examinations. Legend has it that a pious student in this place prayed before a picture of Mary and then succeeded in his request. So the picture soon got the name "Maria, the student refuge". In 1774 a chapel was built in honor of Our Lady. Already in 1786 Emperor Joseph II. The miraculous image was transferred to the Höttinger parish church. Soon after the death of Emperor Joseph II, the chapel was restored and redesigned. She received the Rococo piece and the beautiful ceiling fresco by Franz Allmutter. Even the delicate baroque altar dates back to this time. Between two twisted columns is the miraculous image: Mary with a baroque cloak and crown holds the likewise crowned baby Jesus in her arms. Due to the scenic location at the foot of the Nordkette, the pilgrimage chapel attracts hikers and pilgrims, especially from Innsbruck, all year round. Hundreds of devotees come to the annual Mette. Bishop Stecher wants to use the brand name to express that the secret of Christmas always brings a unique light to the world, in the midst of all externalized and commercialized festivals.