I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.
(Gospel of St. John)

On the Sunday of the Good Shephard our confrere

Fr. Andreas (Franz Josef) Schildknecht, O.S.B.
23 May 1929 – 3 May 2020

monk of the Benedictine monastery Muri-Gries

passed away peacefully in the Lord in the hospital of Bolzano after having suffered a severe stroke.

Franz Josef Schildknecht was born on 23 May 1929 in Gossau into a family of farmers. After primary and secondary school he came to the High School in Sarnen in 1943, where he passed the final examination in 1950. Together with two other classmates he entered our monastery in the autumn of the same year. On 25 September 1951 he made his profession and received the monastic name Andreas. On 5 March 1955 he was ordained priest in Trento. Until 1958 he was Vicar in Gries, and afterwards, until 1960, in Boswil. His main task and interest was to work with the young people. Taking care of the altar boys was particularly close to his heart. In 1960 he became a teacher and a prefect at the High School in Sarnen; this change was not easy for him. He mainly taught religious education in the lower classes and was prefect, first in the seminary and then with the students of the commercial school. In 1967 he could return to work in the parish pastoral care. He took over the parish in Boswil and remained there as parish priest until 1998. Under his responsibility the parish church of St. Pankratius was thoroughly renovated. Fr. Andreas was particularly interested in personal contacts and liked to visit his parishioners in their homes. In 1998 he returned to the monastery of Gries, where he became the guest master. From 1999 to 2008 he was chairman of the Association of the Friends of the Nativity in South Tyrol. He looked after the Kampidell Summer Resort with special zeal. Father Andreas took good care of his health and kept himself fit with a lot of exercise in fresh air. He passed away suddenly, following a severe stroke. We hope and believe that the Risen Lord has opened the door to eternal life for him.

— In Christian mourning
Abbot Beda and Community
The sisters Gabriela, Cécile and Maria Emma and relatives