St. Martini Brotherhood Nottuln
The St. Martini Brotherhood Nottuln is an ecclesiastical brotherhood that carries the coat of arms and seal of St. Martin , their patron. She maintains a special relationship with the Catholic Church and in particular with her home parish St. Martinus in Nottuln ( Westphalia ).
history
The brotherhood is mentioned for the first time in a document from 1383. In this document Heinrich von Solms , Dean of Nottuln, confirms that he has bought a Kamp from Wilhelm Schilling van den Broik with the funds and on behalf of the Brotherhood . He also testifies that neither he nor any of his descendants is entitled to it.
It can be assumed that the St. Martini Brotherhood, which at that time is still called the "Brotherhood of Our Women (Maria) and St. Martini", also existed before, but this cannot be proven by any documents.
Like many other brotherhoods in the High Middle Ages , the Martini Brotherhood supported church life by taking part in processions, celebrating their own church services, supporting the sick and poor, and carrying their deceased members to the grave.
For the first time in the "Ledger of the Highly Praiseworthy Young Journeyman Brotherhood ST Martini in Nottulen" there is talk of a shooting festival in 1784 that the brotherhood organized. Since then, the St. Martini Brotherhood of Nottuln has held an annual shooting festival in Nottuln that lasts several days.
The brotherhood has celebrated a jubilee every 25 years since 1933. This was celebrated on the 600th anniversary in 1983 with a kaiser shooting of all kings still alive.
The brotherhood today
With around 450 members, the brotherhood is very closely connected to the Catholic Church and contributes to church life by attending processions and helping to organize the patronage feast of the parish of St. Martinus.
It presents itself to the public through its annual shooting festival on the weekend after Martinus Translation in Nottuln.
It is managed and organized by its elected board. This consists of the officer corps, the "black board" and the executive board, which manages the business of the brotherhood.
Others
- Anyone who is willing to pursue the goals of the brotherhood can become a member.
- In 2008 the St. Martini Brotherhood celebrated its 625th anniversary with a jubilee.
- Every year at the beginning of November the brotherhood organizes a St. Martin's parade in Nottuln in honor of its patron saint with a lantern march and St. Martin's game and distributes pretzels to the children.