Father Hilarius (Johann) Estermann OSB
from Ruswil LU
was able to return peacefully to his heavenly Father on Thursday, September 10,
two days after the celebration of his 70th year of profession.
Father Hilarius was born in Ruswil on 31 May 1927. After his schooling in Hergiswil, LU, he attended the Einsiedeln Collegiate School from 1941 and graduated in 1949, after he had completed the recruit school in the meantime. In the same year he entered the Abbey of Einsiedeln as a novice. On 8 September 1950, he made his temporary vows and in 1953 his perpetual vows. One year later he was ordained a priest.
Father Hilarius then studied agronomy at the ETH Zurich and, after obtaining his diploma, he moved to the Fahr Monastery. In 1959 he was appointed provost there. This office remained entrusted to him for over 45 years until he was finally recalled to the Abbey in 2006. Here now he could “really be a monk”, as he always stressed. His pastoral services were highly appreciated by pilgrims and also by the monks of the monastery and he was in great demand until the end of his life.
With Father Hilarius we lose a confrere who impressed us very much with his knowledge, his keen interest for people, for the daily events, for history, art and culture and last but not least with his cheerfulness, gratitude and contentment. We are deeply grateful for this testimony of faith.
Father Hilarius died in the 94th year of his life and in the 71st year of his religious profession.
8840 Einsiedeln, September 11, 2020
Abbot Urban, the community, and the family of Father Hilarius
The burial will take place in the Abbey of Einsiedeln on Thursday, 17 September 2020, at 10.30 am. He will be commemorated 30 days later in the mass of Saturday, 10 October 2020, at 11.15 am.; the anniversary of his death will be commemorated in the mass on Saturday, 11 September 2021, at 11.15 am.