History » 1914 - 1919 » Period of Development » A Stone Floor
Development of the Shrine 1914-1919
A stone floor for the shrine
In a letter to Josef Fischer of 26.6.1914, Fr Kentenich wrote in conclusion:
“One more thing. In these days we were given 200 Marks by one of the Sodalists for the shrine. In all probability we will get stone flooring for our shrine. Just imagine: Mater ter admirabilis! All this in time of war!“
However, this offer did not become a reality immediately.
In a letter from Franz Heck to Ferdinand Kastner of 30.12.1915 we read:
“… As Sodalists we also celebrate Christmas. We have earthly gifts: a beautiful vestment, an alb with wonderful cincture, in brief, everything a priest needs except for the chalice. A communion cloth, a missal for Requiem Masses, etc. Besides this 200 Marks has been donated for a floor for our chaple. We really have reason to be grateful …“
This remark in Franz Heck’s letter does not reveal clearly when the stone floor was actually laid. Perhaps it means that is had not yet happened, but would be done some time in the future – possibly in the New Year (1916). At any rate it had happened before 1919 when a photo was taken of the interior of the shrine.
