Heavenly tattoos in the Church of Our Lady
Some consider tattoos to be devil stuff. In fact, tattoos have been used for centuries to leave something lasting. Also on the Jacobsweg. In the Liebfrauenkirche there are free tattoos in small, fine lettering on Saturdays.
Frankfurt -Vanessa Sas (26) came from Mannheim especially to have her favorite quote tattooed on her left forearm in the Liebfrauenkirche by celebrity tattoo artist Silas Becks (39) from Stuttgart. “Whatever souls are made of, his and mine are the same,” adorns her skin after a good hour of whirring and tingling in filigree script in English. “I dedicate the saying to my soul mate,” says Sas, looking in love at her friend Corce (31), who is tenderly holding her hand. “I think it’s great,” says the young man, who doesn’t wear tattoos himself. In addition to the saying, the 26-year-old also has butterflies, quotes and a chakra on her light skin.
Sas is one of two winners of an Instagram tattoo challenge from Catholic Adult Education (KEB) from the Diocese of Limburg. Head Markus Breuer grins at the astonished faces in the Liebfrauenkirche as the tattoo artist drapes his utensils in the light aisle. “Tattoo and religion go hand in hand,” he says. “You could call them the cathedrals of the self.” Today there are only stamp books on the Jacobsweg. It used to be permanent tattoos. “So the idea came up to have the two winners get their favorite tattoos in the Liebfrauenkirche, just like in the shop window, and offer a tattoo walk-in for everyone on Saturday.”
Brother Paulus Terwitte (62) nods while he carries tables, chairs and blankets in his brown robe to the side entrance of the church. “Christ is a tattoo that has been imprinted on all of creation. Baptism is a tattoo that never fades. These imprints are never lost. The longing for tattoos is a longing for the immortal in the throw-away society,” he says.
Sas and Becks, the tattoo artist, listen to his words. Becks has a tattoo of a Bible just below his throat. On his arm the “Big Apple” New York in the shape of a bright red apple. “It’s great to be here,” says the tattoo artist, who has worked in this profession for 15 years and specializes in calligraphy. “I’ve been doing this since I was five years old. I love fonts,” he says.
Bible tattoos as a creed
He is proud that he can work upwards in a church. “She wears a tight shirt. That she is so wide is a great thing,” believes the devout Christian. “Biblical and spiritual sayings are a much bigger creed than anything else. Chains with a cross can be removed. Tattoos fill dialogues.” Sas is also a believer. “My father is Hungarian and gave me the good Lord with me on the way.”
The quote on her arm is from the book “Sturmhöhe” by Emily Fontaine, which she touched. “I am lucky to have found my soul mate and I want to keep him forever,” she says and shakes her friend’s hand again. The tattoo machine hums softly, and now and then Sas frowns when it tingles too much. “It doesn’t hurt, it’s just a little uncomfortable sometimes,” she explains, looking around the picturesque church with her green eyes. “It is beautiful and I am glad to know one of the most famous churches in Germany today.” Sas is happy, Becks is satisfied. Brother Paulus Terwitte and Breuer watch with fascination.
This Saturday between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and from 6.30 p.m. to around 9.30 p.m. everyone can choose a tattoo from a total of eight calligraphy suggestions and have it done by Silas Becks at the walk-in in the Liebfrauenkirche. Whether “Jesus”, “My Saints”, “In Nomine Patris”, “Heaven” or “Paradise” – all words appear in perfect script for eternity.