Imperial mass

Just like in Habsburg times - every year on 'Emperor's Birthday' on 18 August, the 'Emperor's Mass' is celebrated in the Catholic parish church in Bad Ischl.

Countless visitors line the streets as members of the Habsburg family, members of former noble families, delegations of traditional regiments from the former crown lands and several citizen guards make their way to the fair. Before the mass, the delegations line up, report to the Habsburg family and ask for further orders. After the procession of the front of honour, the flag bearers enter the festively decorated church. The imperial anthem is also sung at the following mass. The regiments then march through the entire town centre to the Imperial Park to pay their respects to His Imperial Highness Archduke Markus Salvator of Habsburg-Lorraine. Known as the highlight of the Imperial Days in Bad Ischl, this year's event will be crowned by none other than the Viennese Boys' Choir who will provide the musical backdrop to this year's Imperial Mass.

Programme: 
from 07:30 a.m.
Gathering of the traditional associations and clubs in the Kurpark
 
until 08:30 am             
Reporting to the Commanding General, provided by the Deutschmeister Schützenkorps
 
at 9:00 o'clock             
March of the units from the Kurpark via Pfarrgasse to the forecourt of the
city parish church. The bands play: Bürgerkapelle Bad Ischl, Bürgerkorpskapelle Windhaag bei Perg and Stadtkapelle Melk
 
until 9:30 am              
Arrival on the forecourt of the parish church, report to SKH Archduke Markus Salvator of Austria, playing of the national anthem, parade to the front with Archduke Markus Salvator of Austria, Mayor Ines Schiller and Tourism Director Jakob Reitinger
 
at 10:00 am              
Holy Mass will be celebrated by Provost of Klosterneuburg Abbey Anton Höslinger Can.Reg. and Regional Dean Consistorial Councillor Christian Öhler with musical accompaniment by the Vienna Boys' Choir.
 
approx. 11:30 am              
After the mass, departure from the church, march with music through the city centre: Kaiser Franz Josef Straße - Kreuzplatz - Wirerstraße - Pfarrgasse - Kaiser Franz Josef Straße - Götzstraße - to the Kaiservilla
The music bands play: Bürgerkapelle Bad Ischl, Bürgerkorpskapelle Windhaag bei Perg and Stadtkapelle Melk
 
approx. 13:00 hrs              
Arrival in the Kaiserpark, thanks from the General Commander to SKH Archduke Markus Salvator of Austria, salute of honour, playing of the national anthem, 
Departure with defilade, reception in and in front of the Imperial Villa / Imperial Stables
 
approx. 15:30              
Platzkonzert of the Stadtkapelle Melk in front of the Kaiservilla