ABSTRACT
The shrine of the 'Schmerzhafte Mutter Maria' (Mater Dolorosa, or grieving Mary) at Steinbach in upper Swabia was first visited by pilgrims in 1730. The story of the shrine at Steinbach illustrates a number of important characteristics of Southwest German Catholicism in early eighteenth century. Most obviously, it demonstrates the continued vitality of pilgrimage piety in this period. The story of Steinbach also illuminates the growing gap between the clerical and popular attitudes towards shrines and pilgrimages. The term 'miracle' was itself controversial. Like other clergymen the priest at Steinbach avoided using the word 'miracle' (Wunder), referring instead to the 'great benefactions' (grosse Guttaten) given by Mary. By the time the Bishop of Constance sent a commission to investigate the new shrine in the fall of 1733, the surrounding population had intensively used Steinbach for about three years. The Bishop of Constance gave his blessing to the new shrine in late 1733, apparently on the recommendation of the investigating commission.
