Father Lucius Marquardt OSB

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness”
Mt. 25:21

On 29 September 2021, the feast of the Archangels, around 6:15 p.m., while going to the church for Vespers, right in front of the statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Lord of life called to himself his servant, our Father and Mzee, our formator and teacher, our priest and zealous missionary,
Father Lucius (Georg) Marquardt OSB

Fr Lucius was born on 19 August 1930 in Gaukönigshofen in Würzburg, Germany. He was the second of the seven children of his parents Ludwig Marquardt and Elisabeth Dürr.

Education and religious formation

Fr Lucius attended primary school at Gaukönigshofen from 1937 to 1941. He received his secondary education in Würzburg town from 1941 to 1949 and entered postulancy at Münsterschwarzach on 5 September 1949 and on 25 September was received into noviciate. On 25 September 1950, he made his first vows. From 1950 to 1952, he did philosophical studies at Sankt Ottilien. He then did his theological studies at Würzburg University from 1952 to 1956. On 11 October 1953, he made his solemn profession. He was ordained deacon on 4 July 1954 and on 10 July 1955, was ordained priest by Abbot-Bishop Eberhard Spiess of Peramiho.

From September 1956 to April 1957, he was in England to learn English. In 1990 he went again to England for communication training for two months. The same year he went for spirituality studies at the Angelicum, the Dominican University in Rome, for three months.

Apostolate

On 22 April 1957, Fr Lucius was sent to Peramiho for missionary work. From July 1957 to December 1958, he served as assistant parish priest in Peramiho Parish. From 1957 to 1975 he served as secretary to Abbot-Bishop Eberhard Spiess. At the same time, he looked after the Nakahuga outstation. From 1958 to 1990, he served the Abbey as chronicler and archivist. He taught religion at the Peramiho Nursing School from 1959 to 2018 and from 1968 to 1978, at Peramiho Girls Secondary School. From 1975 to 1991, he was a parish priest at Mpandangindo. He was the novice master and a teacher in the novitiate at Peramiho Abbey from 1985 to 2000. He was appointed prior of the Abbey in 1991 and served in that office until 2008. From 2000 till his death, he was a member of the formation team at the Abbey.

Personal character

Our beloved Fr Lucius was endowed with many gifts. He had a very good sense of humour that enabled him to easily associate with different people. He was gifted with the art of receiving guests well. He loved people and maintained good relations with all, especially the poor and needy, and strove to extend a helping hand to them whenever it seemed necessary and possible. He was really a good father to all and for all.

As a religious, he loved his vocation to the full and lived a prayerful life, always maintaining harmonious relations with others in the community. As a well-known, brilliant organist, he cherished the liturgy at the Abbey and provided it with wonderful music. At times during community functions, he was a very good comedian. In many ways, he was a source of joy and peace in the community.

As a priest, he was always ready to administer the sacred mysteries for the salvation of souls. He dedicated himself to teaching religion in schools and regarded this undertaking as his primary responsibility as a missionary. He unreservedly committed himself to serve the sick at Peramiho Hospital and wherever he was needed. The faithful of Peramiho will always remember him for his commitment to celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation, through which he touched the hearts of many people. Above all, he also facilitated the construction of some churches.

As someone in leadership for a long time, he always led by his teachings and by the example of his very life. He lived what he taught. He was a good adviser to the monks and encouraged those who were about to lose hope.

We, the Peramiho community, are very thankful for the gift of Fr Lucius in our history. We are grateful indeed to all who contributed to make Fr Lucius what he has been, most especially his family. We are grateful to Münsterschwarzach Abbey for allowing him to be a missionary in Africa. Through what he has done for us and in a special way through his various writings, he shall continue to live in our hearts and in our history.

Fr Lucius died at the age of 91, with 71 years of religious profession, 66 years of priesthood and 64 years of missionary service in Peramiho.

May the Lord reward him with the eternal repose promised to a good and faithful steward. Our heartfelt condolences to family members especially his brothers and sisters for losing their beloved.

May he rest in peace. Amen.