Tattoo better than a Rosary, compared to the beauty of a chasuble....

 "A rosary can be taken off, a religious tattoo lasts a lifetime".

The first day of the Catholic tattoo campaign took place on Friday at the "Quo Vadis?" meeting centre of religious communities in Vienna. Stuttgart tattoo artist Silas Becks decorated the skin of believers - free of charge.

"In god we trust" flashes on the back of Silas Becks' neck from under his white T-shirt as he leans over Silvia's forearm. In god we trust. Fingers wrapped in black latex gloves clutch the tattoo machine, a soft whirring sounds before the fine needles pierce Silvia's skin. The 41-year-old is being tattooed for the first time today. "Spirito Sancti" is to adorn the inside of her forearm forever. Becks is asked by onlookers whether he has written it correctly before he starts tattooing. "Yes, that's the right way to write it," claims the tattoo artist from Stuttgart. In Becks trusts Silvia. 

With his numerous images on his skin, Silas Becks is only a usually peaked tattoo artist on the outside. "I am a Catholic and a tattoo artist," he says. "I'm often asked how that fits together. Then I say: I was a Catholic first, of course, and then I became a tattoo artist." At the Vienna meeting centre "Quo Vadis?", an institution of the religious orders, Becks is tattooing Christian symbols free of charge on this day. "Give yourself a sign" is the name of this Catholic tattoo action launched by Quo Vadis director Christopher Campbell.

Campbell is not only the head of the house, but also the author of the non-fiction book "Tattoo and Religion: The Colourful Cathedrals of the Self". In it, he explains that the tattoo has a long tradition in Christianity. "Tattooing is the oldest sacred art. It can be found as early as the Jerusalem pilgrim tattoo, among the religious orders, the Franciscans and others. Over the centuries, many believers have tattooed themselves, such as the marks of Christ," explains the book author. With the Catholic tattoo campaign, he also wants to show the different people who go in and out of the church. Symbols like the fish, the cross or the dove of peace are available.  The rush is huge, he said. "Hundreds of people registered, which is why we had to draw lots at the end," says Becks. About 30 believers can have their skin decorated with the Christian symbols over two days.

Two mismatched religious teachers are among them. Julia Ruf, dressed in black, red lipstick, high heels, extroverted and aiming to add a "Domine, quo vadis?" to her chatty tattoos on her forearm. And Katharina B., rather shy, a silver cross as a necklace and here today to be drawn on her skin for the first time. It is to be a cross on the wrist, says 24-year-old Katharina. The pain would scare her, but faith is strong, she says. "You don't have to worry about that, it's just a slight scratching on the skin," reassures Julia Ruf. Ruf, a 30-year-old theologian, already has a cross on her wrist. Her first tattoo, Prague, when she was 19, she says with a smile. Both share a strong faith, which they want to express with tattoos. 

"You find tattoos in all places of pilgrimage," explains Christopher Campbell. People want a souvenir of their religious experience - even if it is surface art, he says. "But faith also lives on surfaces, otherwise we wouldn't have such beautiful chasubles," Campbell laughs. Silas Becks sees it similarly: "With the tattoo, people get something to remember or something to protect them. You can buy a rosary and take it off again. A religious tattoo is something that lasts a lifetime," says the tattoo artist.

Franciscan Father Manuel Sandesh has also chosen the lifelong sign. "Humanity is the greatest religion" is to be written on the entire length of his forearm. In addition, a "Jesus". Today there is only enough time for "Jesus", the 43-year-old Franciscan wants to have the rest done in Stuttgart in Silas Beck's studio "Mommy I'm Sorry". The unconventional monk with Indian roots is also an amateur rapper. His latest hit is also entitled "Humanity is the Greatest Religion". The song echoes loudly from his iPhone during the stabbing, at times he sings along. Sandesh also made a name for himself in Carinthia in 2020 when he put a new soundtrack to a Carinthian song. 

Service in the Ruprechtskirche 

Silas Becks will still answer the call of his neck tattoo this evening. A special tattoo service will take place in the Ruprechtskirche, where his tattoo machine will also be blessed. On Saturday, he continues with fish, peace doves and crosses. In Becks, the faithful trust. 

See Tattoo Mass

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Rapp enters the Sanctuary for First Communions

Father Manuel Sandesh exudes Indian joie de vivre in a Christian setting at his concerts - on 21 April also in the Dormitorium.

Church concert probably doesn't sound like action to the younger generation, but Father Manuel Sandesh proves otherwise. The Franciscan with Indian roots is known for rousing concerts that exude joie de vivre. On 21 April (start: 7 pm) he will perform in the dormitory of Lilienfeld Abbey. This is aimed at this year's confirmands, their families and godparents, but also anyone else who wants to experience a joyful evening.

Father Sandesh is not only a priest and musician, but also an enthusiastic painter - creativity defines his life. He was born in Bengaluru, India. He has been making music since early childhood. At the age of 17, he joined the Franciscan Order. After his ordination, he also worked in an Indian parish for four years. At the invitation of an Austrian Franciscan, he left his homeland to pursue new spiritual paths. He has been living in Vienna for several years. Since then, he also raps and sings in German and studies classical guitar. 

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