Father Eberhard Lorenz OSB

Father Eberhard Lorenz OSB, passed away in the early evening of Monday, March 17, 2025, at the Donau-Isar Clinic in Deggendorf. Josef Lorenz was born in 1943, in Mainburg. In 1953, his life’s path led him to the Benedictines in Metten. There, the son of a hop farmer from the Hallertau attended the monastic high school and lived in the boarding house. In 1962, Josef Lorenz was received into the novitiate by then-Abbot Corbinian Hofmeister. He made his monastic profession in 1963. Bishop Rudolf Graber ordained him to the priesthood in 1968, in the Cathedral of Regensburg.

Many knew Father Eberhard as the “Handball Father.” Over the years, he served as a physical education teacher, educator, and religion teacher. Beginning in 1982, Father Eberhard served as pastor of the Parish of Metten, a role he held until 2015. During that time, he also served as dean of the Deggendorf-Plattling deanery for twelve years. After his service in Metten, he continued his pastoral work as administrator in the parish of Grafling and in the parish community of Kirchroth-Münster. Father Eberhard was always a devoted admirer of Mary, so it comes as no surprise that he served as Central President of the Marian Men’s Congregation of Straubing from 2017 to 2021. May the Lord of life and death grant him eternal peace!