06/01/2025 0 Comments
Who or what is the ÖPI actually?
Who or what is the ÖPI actually?
# Pilgerinitiative-en

Who or what is the ÖPI actually?
The Ecumenical Pilgrimage Initiative (ÖPI) was founded in April 2022 with the aim of promoting pilgrimage work in Vorpommern.
In the statutes, it is stated under §2 as follows:
(1) The purpose of the association is to promote the work of pilgrims in the region of Vorpommern.
(2) The purpose of the association is realized in particular by:
- The cooperation of the Christian churches in the pastoral care of pilgrims
- The design and maintenance of the pilgrimage routes
- Responsibility for the ecumenical St. Jakobi Pilgrimage Center in Stralsund
- Establishment of training and further education for pilgrimage work
- Development and maintenance of volunteer structures and the promotion of projects related to pilgrimage work in the region. Furthermore, the association aims to promote and expand networks and projects related to pilgrimage.

In addition to private individuals, the members of the association include the Archdiocese of Berlin (represented by the person responsible for the pastoral care of tourism) and the parish of St. Bernhard Stralsund-Rügen-Demmin (represented by the pastor in charge).
We are a registered association with recognized non-profit status, which means that donations to the association are tax deductible.
So much for the formalities.
Even before 2022, a number of people in our region were working to maintain and develop the Pomeranian pilgrimage routes and to organize pilgrim events along these routes. But contact between them was sparse. And you quickly get tired on your own. We wanted to change that. We wanted to network. We dreamt of a place where pilgrim services and pilgrim roundtables could take place. We dreamt of cooperation across confessional boundaries.
The pilgrimage movement has changed over the last 10 years. Pilgrimage is not a niche activity for a few crazy individuals.
People of all ages and walks of life are freeing themselves, setting out - taking “time out” - to catch their breath, to organize their lives, to heal wounds and to gain new spiritual impulses for their lives.
Our wish is that the spiritual life impulses and experiences that people encounter on the pilgrimage routes do not bypass the Christian faith, but are integrated into it and continue to grow and bear fruit in everyday life.
There must be spaces where pilgrims can exchange their experiences, otherwise many experiences will fizzle out or quickly be covered by everyday life.
But you can go on a pilgrimage not only in France or Spain. The journey begins at your doorstep.
We also want to make our Western Pomeranian paths known beyond Pomerania. We want to see our paths as a connection to other cities, people and cultures and come into contact with them through pilgrimage.

What has happened in the last two years or so?
- In the summer of 2022, after negotiations with various decision-makers, we were able to inaugurate the pilgrims' chapel in the cultural church of St. Jakobi in Stralsund. Since then, most of our pilgrim services and some of our get-togethers have taken place there. In the summer, we meet in the chapel for hourly prayers and it is the starting point for the weekly city pilgrim tours.
- We organize training for pilgrim guides at regular intervals. Future pilgrim guides are invited to organize day pilgrimages in their home parishes and thus make the pilgrimage routes and the idea of pilgrimage known locally.
- Meanwhile, there are numerous trained pilgrim guides who who regularly offer day pilgrimages in their home communities and are committed to promoting the pilgrimage in Western Pomerania in a variety of ways.
- And once a year, the ÖPI organizes a longer pilgrimage, if possible with cooperation partners in Germany or beyond.

What's next?
Since we are all “on the road” as people and as associations, there are always changes and developments.
- The number of requests for information about pilgrimages, pilgrim accommodation, etc. has increased to such an extent that we cannot handle many of them on a voluntary basis in the long term. Therefore, we hope to use funding and donations to hire a part-time employee who can intensify both the networking and the spiritual support of pilgrims.
- We also warmly invite you to support us in our work. You can find the membership application form on our homepage.
- In our monthly newsletter, you will also be informed about current dates and events.
- With God's help, we want to offer a pilgrimage companion training and a larger pilgrimage in Italy in the new year.
- From May onwards, we will again be inviting you to weekly city pilgrimages and the Liturgy of the Hours. Everyone is very welcome.
Ellen Nemitz
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