Saint Benedict's Chapel
521 McCosh Drive
Chesapeake, Virginia 23320
757-543-0561
History of Richtfest
Richtfest, or the “topping-out” ceremony, is a particularly pleasant German tradition on which people who are building a house give thanks to the builders and all the other people involved in the construction work. It is celebrated when the walls of the house and the roof struts have been built. A wreath with ribbons tied to it known as a ‘Richtkranz, ‘Richtkrone’ or ‘Richtbaum’ is raised up onto the roof. The head carpenter recites a poem known as the Richtspruch or the Zimmermansspruch in which he thanks the client on behalf of all the laborers for work, wages, and bread and asks for God’s blessing to be upon the house. The client drinks a toast of schnapps, or sometimes wine or sparkling wine and after the poem will throw his glass from the roof. The empty glass must break on the ground and brings good fortune and blessings onto the new house. The client will hammer in the last nail and says thanks to the workers by holding a feast. Here the guests enjoy schnitzel, bratwurst, pork knuckle or other savory, German dishes washed down with beer. Friends, helpers, neighbors and relatives are also invited along to the Richtfest.
Blessing of the Cross
V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth
V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
O God, by Whose word all things are made holy, pour out thy blessing on this creature (cross). And grant that whosoever uses it in accordance with thy will and thy law, and with a spirit of thanksgiving, may experience by thy power health in body and protection in soul, as he invokes thy most holy name. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
On the Prevalence of the Cross!
The cross is the Christian’s standard;
It is more than a symbol; it is a way of life.
We acclaim the cross as our shield, our guard,
Our comfort in pain and in time of strife;
We hold it aloft, for all to see,
Especially those who would crucify
Us for our faith and morality
In an age which seeks to stultify
Our duty and right to mention God’s name
In a culture that labors to desecrate
All that is holy, the views we proclaim,
Truths which it hopes to annihilate,
Not knowing, alas, that the cross will prevail
As the angels and saints forever regale.
Harry Miller, c. 2003
(Galatians 6:14)
Commemorating the blessing of “Fr. Damian’s Cross” at
St. Benedict’s Chapel, Chesapeake, Virginia
November 23, 2003, Last Sunday after Pentecost
Click here to see more pictures of our own "Richtfest".