Klagenfurt, Austria – As the 40-day period of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18th, Christians across Carinthia, and beyond, are being invited to a moment of pause and reflection. Dompfarrer Peter Allmaier, the Dean of Klagenfurt Cathedral, describes the day not as a rigid obligation, but as a conscious opportunity for self-assessment in a world often defined by relentless pace.
For centuries, the tradition of receiving a cross of ashes on the forehead has marked the start of Lent, a practice dating back to the 11th century. In numerous parishes throughout Carinthia, this ritual will once again be observed during traditional church services. But beyond the symbolic gesture, Allmaier emphasizes the deeper meaning of the day – a deliberate “stop” to examine one’s motivations and priorities.
“On days like Ash Wednesday, I allow myself a conscious pause and check what and why I am doing something,” Allmaier explained in an interview with MeinBezirk.at. “This allows me to approach my work with greater attention and focus.” He suggests that the act of applying ashes serves as a reminder of the often-unrealistic value we place on various aspects of our lives.
Allmaier draws a parallel to spring cleaning, noting how decluttering our homes can create a sense of freedom. Similarly, Lent offers a time to “declutter” from unwanted habits, physical excess, and unproductive thought patterns. In a society increasingly driven by a relentless pursuit of “faster, higher, stronger,” he argues for a shift in perspective: “We must perhaps reverse the Olympic motto and say: Become weak, proceed deeper, become slower.”
This year, Klagenfurt Cathedral is marking the beginning of Lent with a unique artistic installation titled “Kunst im Dom” (Art in the Cathedral). Rather than covering the altar with a traditional Lenten veil, Allmaier, in collaboration with Upper Carinthian sculptor Hans-Peter Profunser, is presenting a work that explores the truth of the human condition. The installation features a procession of wounded and suffering figures, intended to evoke the Stations of the Cross.
The “Kunst im Dom” will be unveiled during the Ash Wednesday liturgy with the distribution of ashes, led by Bishop Josef Marketz, at 7:00 PM on February 18th. On February 22nd, at 5:00 PM, a discussion with Profunser and Allmaier will be held at the cathedral, offering an opportunity for the public to inquire questions about the installation.
Dompfarrer Allmaier also holds several significant positions within the Catholic Church in Kärnten, including Dean of Klagenfurt Cathedral, Director of the Diocesan School Office, and a member of the Ritterorden vom Heiligen Grab zu Jerusalem (Knights of the Holy Sepulchre), according to the Diocese of Kärnten’s website. He previously studied in Rome for five years, where he met Pope Benedict XVI, describing him as a humorous, insightful, and humble man, as reported by kaernten.ORF.at in a remembrance published in December 2022.
As Lent begins, Allmaier’s message resonates as a call for intentionality and a reminder that true strength can be found not in relentless striving, but in moments of quiet reflection and inner renewal. The next opportunity to engage with this theme will be at the opening of “Kunst im Dom” on Ash Wednesday evening.
What are your thoughts on the meaning of Lent in today’s world? Share your reflections in the comments below, and please share this article with others who might find it meaningful.
