Brother Raymund Graf OSB

Completely unexpectedly for all of us, our confrere

Brother Raymund (Michael) Graf OSB

died on Christmas Day at 11:15 a.m. shortly before the monks were to begin Midday Prayer.

Brother Raymund was born in Bärndorf, Regen District, on 19 October 1948 as the son of the farmer and mayor Michael Graf and his wife Theresia. The following day he was baptized in the parish church of Regen with the name Michael, that of his father.

After attending the primary school in Regen, he came to the gymnasium of our abbey in 1961. Having completed class ten, Michael Graf entered our monastery on 10 September 1967 at the age of nineteen and was admitted as a postulant on 12 September 1967. He was then accepted into the novitiate on 8 October 1968 and received as his monastic name Br. Raymund. He made his temporary profession on 12 October 1969 and on 14 January 1971 his final profession.

On 8 September 1970 he passed his journeyman’s examination as a horticulturist, specializing in cultivating fruit trees. Very faithfully and with tremendous diligence, he worked with his master Br. Gabriel Tischler in the orchard. With the utmost care and dedication, he provided winter maintenance, clearing the snow, sanding and salting the paths. After the gradual retirement of Br. Gabriel for reasons of age and illness, Br. Raymund managed the orchard by himself. Due to an accident while harvesting the fruit, he could only partially pursue his tasks in the orchard. When he suffered a stroke three years ago, he asked for help in the infirmary.

In addition to his work in the orchard, Br. Raymund took care of the beverages in the cellar and was active in the monastery fire brigade. Even on Christmas morning, the day of his death, Br. Raymund was the cantor at the feast day Eucharist.

We will remember our confrere with gratitude and ask for prayers for him.

Prior Administrator Fr. Richard Multerer OSB
and the Community of Schweiklberg Abbey