Father Berno (Otto) Blom, O.S.B.
from Nunningen SO
passed away in the hospital of Einsiedeln on Friday, 25 September, the feast of Saint Nicolas of Flüe.
P. Berno was born on 23 July 1934 in Fehren. After finishing elementary school he entered the Einsiedeln monastery college in 1949 where he passed his High-school graduation in 1956. He entered the monastery in the Fall of the same year. In 1957 Father Berno made his simple and in 1960 his solemn profession. On 20 May 1961 he was ordained priest. From 1962 to 2000 he taught in the monastery college; he only interrupted his teaching in order to study classical philology from 1966 to 1970. As sub-prefect he was also entrusted with the care of the students who lived in the boarding school. Later he was pleased to get the chance to help more with the pastoral care in the parish. For several years he served in the parish of Freienbach, but he also helped out in other parishes. Still last month Fr. Berno celebrated mass in the monastery of Au and in the two nursing homes Langrüti and Gerbe in Einsiedeln. In the monastery he also helped to serve the pilgrims and regularly celebrated mass in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Einsiedeln.
In his last days Fr. Berno’s strength decreased visibly. It was not easy for him to accept help and support. The last time he let others care for him was in the hospital when he was helped to get into bed after dinner. After that, the doctors and the nursing staff did not need to take care of him anymore, because the Lord over life and death himself took care of Father Berno. May he now see what he has deeply longed for.
P. Berno died in the 87th year of his life and in the 64th year of his religious profession.
8840 Einsiedeln, on the feast of Saint Nicolas of Flüe, 25 September 2020
Abbot Urban, the monks of Einsiedeln and the relatives of Fr. Berno.
Burial in the Einsiedeln monastery: Friday, 2 October 2020, 10.30 am
Mass after 30 days: Saturday, 24 October 2020, 11.15 am
Mass after one year: Saturday, 25 September 2021, 11.15 am