“1932 GERMAN CATHOLIC CONGRESS” PRE-WAR GERMAN CATHOLIC PROCESSION & CEREMONY FILM XD83115

Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website This silent film shows the 71st German Catholic Congress in August, 1932 in Essen, Germany. Hitler would become chancellor a year after this film was made, in 1933, a fact which explains the lack of Nazi symbols shown in the film. In July of 1933, again about a year after this film was made, the Concordat between the Vatican and the Nazis in promised the Catholic leadership the sort of autonomy they had sought for in exchange for complete acceptance of the new fascist order. Some of the footage shown is from a National German Rally of the National Association of Catholic Southern Germans. Pope Pius XI led the Catholic Church during the rise and fall of Nazi Germany. Many Germans were devoutly religious during that time period; in the early part of his time in power, Hitler was preoccupied with Christianity and the German Catholic and Protestant church. Text regarding the conference of German Catholics (:27). Images of Christ on the cross (:40) as the camera pans down to show an altar boy’s face holding the cross. The Catholic youth hold a rally (:47). Young girls sprint forward in Sunday dresses (:50). These children’s rallies were what led to the German Catholic’s conference. The Equestrian Statue of Emperor William I stands in the city center of Essen (1:15). Religious crowds are seen crammed in the Burgplatz; Essen’s historic heart (1:21). The camera moves over the massive crowd of devote Germans (1:32). A close shot shows the brass band blowing (1:52). The Missionary Bishop addresses the crowd (2:44). The film mentions a notable film critic; R. Muckermann (3:16). A car view shows a stream of religious marchers heading on towards the Baldeneysee Loop (3:58). The parade moves closer towards the mountain (4:16). Close shots show the traditional and intricate attire of the German Catholic’s (4:27). The film mentions ‘sebastianus protectors’ which is referring to Saint Sebastian; a saint popular for protecting the people from the plague (5:27). White feathered hats and long coats are pictured on the marchers (5:37). Close shots of the marchers follow (6:23). Massive crowds fill the area known as the Baldeneysse (7:31). Mounted police assist the procession (7:45). Catholic Priests march in front of pedestrians along the street (8:18). Cesare Vincenzo Orsenigo; the Apostolic Nunico to Germany, and Archbishop Cardinal Schulte are within the procession here (9:36). Orsenigo held his position from 1930 to 1945 during the rise and fall of Nazi Germany. The high clergy make their entrance (9:51). They arrive at the podium as followers carry the long capes up the stairs (12:21). Orsenigo is pictured sitting on the ‘throne’ here (12:29). Archbishop Cardinal Schulte again at (12:44) as the ceremony begins. The Archbishop delivers a sermon (13:23). The Holy Mass follows (14:56) and after, the crowd begins to dissipate (15:27). Young girls in white dresses and flowered crowns pass the camera (15:48) followed by a procession of black cloaked nuns (15:51). The film follows the high clergy as they move off (17:15). A rally of religious youth appears (18:05). The procession passes the Auxiliary Bishop Dr. Stockums (18:14) perched in a throne-like seat. They pass a tall cross amid stands of spectators (19:09). Close shots show a xylophone player (19:28) and the cymbal man (19:31). A banner touts the name ‘Unitas-Verband’ (19:57). This is the oldest Catholic association of academics and students originally founded in the middle of the 19th century. Youth continue marching (20:23). They begin what appears to be a rapid Nazi salute (21:01). Young women dance in circles (21:19). A Catholic meeting (22:19). Conductor guides the orchestra (22:27). Procession carries on to the tomb of Saint Ludgerus in Billerbeck (23:04). The clergy carries the shrine of the bones of the saint (24:45). They arrive at the doors of the Ludgerus Church (24:52). Aerial view of the crowd (25:22). The clergy face the shrine (25:57). Catholics pray as the film concludes (26:30). For almost two decades, we’ve worked to collect, scan and preserve the world as it was captured on 35mm, 16mm and 8mm movies -- including home movies, industrial films, and other non-fiction. If you have endangered films you’d like to have scanned, or wish to donate celluloid to Periscope Film so that we can share them with the world, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us via the weblink below. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit