By Ute Wessels, dpa
Straubing, Germany (dpa) – The annual Germany-wide carol-singing campaign opened this year in the southern city of Regensburg, but on a smaller scale than usual due to the coronavirus pandemic and with participants vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19.
The motto of the 64th traditional Star Singer campaign is “Get healthy – stay healthy. A child’s right worldwide.”
Throughout Germany, children in costume will once again parade through the streets, collecting money and placing the letters C – M – B – “Christus mansionem benedicat,” Latin for Christ bless this house – on or above house doors.
In some traditions the C – M – B is also thought to represent the names of the three kings who visited the infant Jesus to present gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. This event is celebrated on January 6 at the Feast of the Epiphany and marks the end of the Christmas season.
The Star Singers are therefore also sometimes called Epiphany Singers.
Regensburg’s Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer met the girls and boys dressed as Star Singers on the Stone Bridge, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From there, the Star Singers went in several small groups to St Peter’s Cathedral, where Voderholzer celebrated a service.
The faithful were able to participate via livestream and contribute their intercessions.
Originally, 240 children from all German dioceses were to have travelled to Regensburg for the opening event.
According to diocesan information, the number was reduced because of the coronavirus pandemic, so that only 32 boys and girls took part.
“We haven’t skipped anything, we have come up with something,” Voderholzer said.
In the Catholic custom of Star Singing, children dressed as the three kings from the Bible collect donations for those in need.
The money is destined for aid projects in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe, among other places.
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