Johann Wintersteller was born on 17 November 1940 in Strobl, Austria. After he made simple profession in 1961, taking the name of Brother Benno, he studied philosophy at Kremsmünster and then theology at Sant’Anselmo in Rome from 1962 to 1966. On 18 August 1964, he professed his solemn vows, and on 10 July 1965, he was ordained a priest at Kremsmünster. In 1973, Father Benno received his doctorate in the philosophy of law, writing on the Baroque poet and Kremsmünster Benedictine, Simon Rettenpacher. Father Benno served as a prefect in the Kremsmünster boarding school from 1974-1996, and as a professor at the collegiate grammar school from 1972-2004. In these roles, in addition to his scientific work on Simon Rettenpacher, he wrote many articles for the annual report of the collegiate grammar school.
As Prior, Father Benno served the monastery community from 1996-2007. He was passionate about chorales and singing. From 1981, he held the post of Choirmaster for more than twenty years and worked in this role with the church choir until the end of his career. He also was particularly interested in art and collected both graphic and modern works of art.
Because of his great knowledge of art history, Father Benno was a popular travel companion, especially to Italy. On 1 September 2007, he began his work as chaplain of Kirchberg, where he served with dedication and great joy, considering it to be “his parish” until the very end and praying constantly for her. In 2008, he became a member of the Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.