THANKS

I would like to express my sincere thanks to Prelate Dr. Hans-Walter Vavrovsky, who so purposefully managed to establish contact with the Holy See.

Many in Mayrhofen have such fond memories of Dr. Hans Walter, for he served for some time as chaplain in the parish of Mayrhofen.

RECEIVED in the VATICAN by Pope BENEDICT XVI

My reception at the Vatican by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, was an unforgettable experience. The bishops of Austria, led by Archbishop Alois Kothgasser, were also invited to this special reception. They brought Professor Albin Moroder and his wife, Christine, with them to meet the pope. Professor Albin Moroder presented the Holy Father with an extraordinary crucifix which he had created.

Presentation of the CRUCIFIX to Pope BENEDICT XVI

BENEDIKT XVI Moroder with his wife & Prelate Vavrovsky

Cardinal Franz König was Austria's moral authority

This picture was taken in Vienna in 1997. I was holding an exhibition at the Orthopaedic Hospital entitled "THE CRUCIFIX"; I was displaying there my newest crucifixes, which I had created in a very idiosyncratic way from the forks in branches. It was a great honour for me to have Cardinal Franz KÖNIG visit my exhibition twice and cast a special eye on my work. After his second visit, he acquired the pictured crucifix from me. Since that time, Cardinal König and I enjoyed an especially close bond.

The fact that there existed a special relationship between Pope Benedict and Cardinal König is demonstrated by the fact that Cardinal Ratzinger celebrated the funeral mass for Cardinal König in Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Albin Moroder in the garden of the pope's house in Hufschlag

It was late in the evening and I was sitting at the computer, working on my homepage, when the picture of Cardinal König fell into my hands. I suddenly felt the need to learn more about the new pope, BENEDICT XVI. I found a report about the pope's youthful days and learned that Josef Ratzinger had spent his childhood years in a farmhouse in Hufschlag. Ratzinger referred to this place as his true home. Well, if there is a farmhouse, then there is undoubtedly an orchard there as well! And Cardinal König had, indeed, whispered into my ear: "You should also create a crucifix for the pope." The thought of turning a branch from a tree in Ratzinger's garden into a crucifix captivated me totally. It was time to head to Traunstein, to ascertain if it was even possible.

Mr. Rieder with the branch and a ladder

The son-in-law of the current owner of the Ratzinger farm, Mr. Albert Rieder, was willing, after an extensive discussion, to comply with my request for a branch fork from one of the trees. Mr. Rieder said: "select a branch and then I will cut it down for you." He took a ladder and climbed up, cutting down a branch I had chosen with divine guidance. (see picture) In the top-right of the photo, the red tones of the point where it was cut are clearly visible.

I could not have foreseen what nature of wood awaited me.


	I had selected the right branch, as was impressively demonstrated once I began to work the piece.

DOOR with branch fork

Happy to have this branch, I couldn't stop myself from propping it up on the front door to the Ratzinger house. In my mind, I saw how often the dear young Josef had entered and exited this door. Since this branch came from a plum tree, I also imagined to myself how often the boy must have plucked plums from the tree.

BRANCH FORK in the grass

Back again in my home town of Mayrhofen in the Ziller Valley, I occupied myself quite intensively with this branch fork. It was quite clear to me that this work would have to be absolutely precise. I couldn't merely rely on everything fitting my pure chance. Since the branch was not thick enough in order to also carve the head from it, I cut off the lower end of the fork and cemented it on. For three months, I constantly observed the branch fork. I had an uncanny respect for this project . .

I completed countless preliminary design sketches, until I believed I had found the right solution.

Selection of designs for the papal crucifix

Sketches for the papal crucifix

This is the final sketch for the papal crucifix, the one which finally would be realised.

Prototype for the papal crucifix

I carved this model to precisely match the size and curvature of the branch from Hufschlag. The ultimate design, however, did not become clear until the wound markings appeared, making a profound impression upon me.

CHRIST'S SUFFERING

Crucified Saviour, you suffered a bitter death on the cross in order to redeem us. Be merciful to we poor sinners.

The WOUNDS on Christ's body

If you look upon the body of the crucified Jesus, you can see that even the side wound is present in the form of a small gap. You clearly see the blood which flows over the body. As I worked on this piece, I had the feeling that I had something very special, something even holy in my hands. For me, this was a sign from Heaven that BENEDICT XVI was chosen by God to be our pope.

It was the task of my highly venerated Cardinal KÖNIG to select me as the tool for this small miracle.

Jesus Christ - Son of God - who died for us on the cross

Clearly visible are the discolorations of the wood, on the chest, head, hands and feet, which gradually became apparent as I worked on this branch fork taken from the garden of the Ratzinger farm.

OH HEAD, COVERED IN BLOOD AND WOUNDS

With holy respect, I went to work on the branch. My sketches had already set the broad direction I would take. Everything had to be subordinated to the form of the branch itself.

How great was my astonishment, as the changes in the wood's colouring became apparent, unmistakably representing the wounds of Christ himself. A shiver ran down my spine, for a miracle had happened. All of Christ's wounds were clearly visible. The traces of blood were even present on his hands and feet.

Walnut Case for the PAPAL CRUCIFIX

I gave much thought to the form in which I should present the crucifix I had created to the Holy Father. Then the idea came to me to have a beautiful case manufactured for me by master joiner, Franz Kröll, in Mayrhofen. The walnut used and his execution were truly masterful.

The Austrian bishops with Albin Moroder and his wife

The pope had the Austrian bishops, who were scheduled to present a report to him at the Vatican on November 3, 2005, bring with them Professor Albin Moroder and his wife, Christine.

PAPAL AUDIENCE in the VATICAN on November 3, 2005

Original Casting in Bronze of the PAPAL CRUCIFIX 59cm

This crucifix is an original casting of the crucifix presented by Professor Albin Moroder to Pope BENEDICT XVI on Nov.3, 2005, in the Vatican.

The pope's brother, Georg Ratzinger, writes in a letter to me, dated Dec.21, 2005: "The experience with the tree branch, which was used in creating the cross, is barely explicable from a rational perspective. I believe we may justifiably regard this as a sign from beyond. You have brought great joy to my brother the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.

This crucifix is now available in a limited edition.

A cavity within the Corpus itself holds remnants of wood, created during the making of the papal crucifix. A small piece of the crucifix.

I thank God for his grace

that he gave me the opportunity to serve as his instrument and thus to deliver a sign. A small sign that says: " Yes, you are the pope whom God has chosen for us: BENEDICT XVI"