One of the first major focal points of this commemorative year was the “Katholikentag“ in Würzburg. There, the Don Bosco Family remembered the two martyrs through church services, street art activities and canoe trips on the River Main. The highlight was a festive Mass celebrated with Passau Bishop Stefan Oster SDB, who paid special tribute to Lunkenbein’s extraordinary understanding of mission. He emphasized that Lunkenbein had lived not “for” but “with” the Bororo people, taking their culture seriously and integrating elements of their traditions into the liturgy. Bishop Oster described him as “a great role model” and encouraged people to pray for his beatification, the cause for which is currently being examined in the Vatican.
The new thematic website at www.donbosco.de/lunkenbein brings together materials, background information and activities related to the lives, work and spiritual legacy of the two witnesses of faith. It tells their story amid violence, land grabbing and oppression in the Brazilian Amazon region – but also a story of courage, hope and dedication as a conscious decision to place one’s own life at the service of others and of the Gospel.
In addition to information about the ongoing beatification process, the website offers a wide range of resources for schools, youth ministry and spiritual reflection. These include a teaching unit, the youth booklet “Be Courageous – Give It Your All!”, a short biography and creative participation activities under the title “Courage Leaves Its Mark”, featuring spray-paint templates, colouring pages, prayer cards and stickers.
The thematic website also features a report by author Anna-Lena Haupt. Nearly five decades after the events, she accompanies a travel group to Meruri and explores what remains of Lunkenbein’s commitment to the land, language and culture of the Bororo people. The report is complemented by a new documentary film of around one hour, combining historical research with present-day encounters in Brazil and providing visual insights into Haupt’s search for traces of the past. The film premiered at the Katholikentag in Würzburg in mid-May, is currently in post-production and will soon be released via the website.
The topic is also being explored through publications: in early July, the biography “With Determination, Courage and Hope – Fr Rudolf Lunkenbein SDB and Simão Bororo” by Fr Josef Grünner will be published. In addition, a booklet for children is planned. Roll-up displays, a Lunkenbein pavilion and a planned special supplement in the Don Bosco Magazine will further complement the commemorations.
An encounter with a delegation from Mato Grosso, including members of the Bororo people, is also planned for mid-July. They will visit places connected to Rudolf Lunkenbein’s life in Döringstadt, Buxheim and Benediktbeuern, and will also take part in the Heinrichsfest celebration in Bamberg, near to his birthplace. Afterwards, a delegation from Germany will travel to Meruri to participate in the commemorations marking the 50th anniversary of the deaths on 15 July.
Through these wide-ranging initiatives, the Salesians in Germany hopes to keep alive the memory of Rudolf Lunkenbein and Simão Bororo – as an inspiration for solidarity, justice and lived faith.
Katharina Hennecke,
PR-Manager for GER Salesian Province
{gallery}GER – Iniziative Lunk e Simao 2026{/gallery}
