If you’re new to Austria, you might be surprised to find that the Thursday after Trinity Sunday is a public holiday. Here’s what you need to know about the holiday.
Corpus Christi, or Fronleichnam, is a Roman Catholic feast that celebrates the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist – the consecrated bread and wine believed to become the body and blood of Christ.
While Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday) already marks the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, its close link to the sombre days of Good Friday and Easter means it’s not typically observed with grand public festivities. Enter Fronleichnam.
Established as a separate feast in the 13th century, Fronleichnam falls exactly 60 days after Easter and is traditionally marked on the second Thursday after Pentecost. In 2025, it falls on June 19th.
Why is it a public holiday in Austria?
Austria, a majority-Catholic country, recognises Corpus Christi as a gesetzlicher Feiertag – a statutory holiday.
That means most people have the day off work and school, and most businesses are closed. The celebration is both religious and cultural, especially in rural regions and Catholic strongholds.
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What happens on Fronleichnam?
In many parts of Austria, Corpus Christi is celebrated with a special M*** followed by a Eucharistic procession (Fronleichnamsprozession). These processions see clergy and parishioners walk through towns and villages, often accompanied by music, singing, and decorated streets. The priest carries a monstrance containing the consecrated host under a ceremonial canopy known as the Himmel, blessing the town at various stations.
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Flower carpets (Blumenteppiche), banners, and birch trees line the procession route, transforming otherwise ordinary streets into colourful, sacred paths.
What does ‘Fronleichnam’ mean?
The German term Fronleichnam comes from the Middle High German words vrône lîcham, meaning ‘the body of the Lord’. The Latin liturgical name is Sollemnitas Sanctissimi Corporis et Sanguinis Christi – the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
In Austria and Bavaria, the day is also known by other names, including Prangertag, which refers to the decorative splendour of the event, and Sakramentsfest, focusing on the sacrament itself.
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Is it celebrated everywhere in the same way?
Not quite. The way Corpus Christi is celebrated varies by region, and by the local Catholic community’s size and resources. In smaller towns, it often feels more like a village-wide event, with local clubs, volunteer fire brigades, and traditional costume groups all taking part.
Some communities also host public gatherings after the religious ceremony – from parish picnics to local fairs – blending faith, culture, and social life.
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But, for many, it’s an opportunity to enjoy the beginning of summer with friends and family.
Do other countries also celebrate Corpus Christi?
Yes, but not always as a public holiday. In Germany and Switzerland, it’s a day off only in certain states or cantons. It’s also widely observed in Poland, Spain (in some regions), and many Latin American countries. In Austria, however, it remains a public holiday nationwide.
Why does it matter in modern Austria?
For many Austrians, especially practising Catholics, Corpus Christi remains a powerful public expression of faith. But even among secular residents, it’s often appreciated as a cherished tradition or a nice day off ahead of summer.
And of course, for many office workers and students, it offers a welcome Brückentag opportunity: with Friday often taken off as well, Corpus Christi can turn into a four-day weekend.
READ ALSO: Why tens of thousands of Austrians are leaving the Catholic Church
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