Emperor wayside shrine

​Round birthdays provide an opportunity to take stock of one's own life.

​In 2002 Franz Muhr celebrated his 50th birthday, his mother-in-law Maria Dittlbacher his 80th birthday. Grateful for a happy life, for everything successful at work and the beauty of the family, Franz Muhr erected the shrine in front of his estate. He built the pedestal himself. He worked in stones that he had brought home from migrations in different areas for years. The picture was painted by Miriam and Rahel Sögner, who then attended the first class of the Musisches Gymnasium. Symbols of the patron saints Franz Xaver and Maria, as well as the patron saint of farmers and gardeners, Leopold and Gertraud should appear. The children solved the task confidently. The horse looks - as with representations of the saint. Leopold is often seen - over the shoulder, the bamboo plants point to Franz Xaver, who proselytised in the Far East, the flowers are a symbol of Gertraud. In the background Maria spreads her hands protectively over the group. The angel figure above is a symbol of the accompaniment of earthly life into eternal life. In the lattice, made by Franz Muhr's brother, the eye of God is seen, a symbol that everything created in God has its origin. The lilies from the coat of arms of Frankenmark remind of the birthplace of Franz Muhr. Underneath, the waves from the Innerschwander coat of arms show the down-to-earthness of the family. P. Johannes Pausch from the monastery Gut Aich helped choose the place for the shrine and made the inauguration. Relatives, neighbors and friends were invited to this party. The family appreciates this credulous sign of thanks very much. For grandmother Maria Dittlbacher it is a ritual to light a candle every Saturday.