St. Eberhard's Co-Cathedral Stuttgart, Germany

St. Eberhard’s Co-Cathedral is located on busy Koenigstrasse, the main shopping street in Stuttgart.

 

There has been a church since 1811, but it was destroyed in 1944 by two bombs during WWII. The only remaining features are the layout and the tower.

 

In 1955 it was rebuilt.

 

We found the church by strolling along the Koenigstrasse and were intrigued by its architecture and ventured inside.

 

We were surprised how simple, contemporary and reduced the interior was.

 

It reminded us more of Helsinki Cathedral than a typical German church.

 

One part of the co-cathedral is dedicated to the beatified Father Rupert Mayer, who was born and grew up in Stuttgart, but spent most of his life in Munich. He was an ardent opponent of the Nazi regime and spent some time in prison and a concentration camp.

 

There is a sculpture by Karlheinz Oswald, depicting Father Rupert Mayer.

 

There was also a small leaflet of a prayer that was given to Father Rupert Mayer during his prison stint in 1939. It resonates with me too.

 

Here is the “Rupert Mayer Gebet” first in German then in English.

 

“Rupert Mayer Gebet”

 

Herr, wie Du willst, so will ich gehn,

und wie Du willst, soll mir geschehn.

Hilf Deinen Willen nur verstehn.

 

Herr, wann Du willst, dann ist es Zeit,

und wann Du willst, bin ich bereit.

Heut und in alle Ewigkeit.

 

Herr, was Du willst, das nehm ich hin,

Und was Du willst, ist mir Gewinn.

Genug, dass ich Dein Eigen bin.

 

Herr, weil Du willst, drum is es gut,

und weil Du willst, drum hab ich Mut.

Mein Herz in Deinen Haenden ruht.

 

“Rupert Mayer Prayer”

 

Lord, as you want I will go,

and what you want should happen to me.

Only make your wish understood.

 

Lord, when it is your wish that it’s time,

and when you want I’m ready.

Now and in eternity.

 

Lord, what you want I will accept,

and what you want is my gain.

Enough that I belong to you.

 

Lord, because you want it, its okay,

and because you want it, I have courage.

My heart rests in your hands.

 

 

We liked the tranquility of the church and would visit again, when in Stuttgart.

©2016