Columban Gigl

Columban Gigl OSB , baptismal name: Vitus Ignaz (* March 20, 1686 in Landshut ; † September 5, 1752 in Metten ), was a German Benedictine and abbot of the Benedictine monastery in Metten in Lower Bavaria .

biography

Vitus Ignaz Gigl entered the Metten Monastery in 1708 and was given the religious name Columban when he was professed in 1709. After being ordained a priest in 1711, he studied secular and canon law at the Benedictine University of Salzburg . During this time he worked as a chaplain in the Salzburg Benedictine Abbey in Nonnberg . He then held the post of subprior in the Metten Monastery (1721) and was then employed as a pastor in the Michaelsbuch parish, which was looked after by the Metten monks. From 1729 to 1739 he served as prior in the Metten monastery.

The beginning and the first years of Columban Gigl's activity as abbot of the Metten Monastery were determined by the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748). In 1742, Abbot Augustin Ostermayer and his monks had fled from the Metten Monastery before the approaching Austrian troops (Pandurs). After the abbot and part of the convent succumbed to an epidemic while trying to escape in Stephansposching, more than a year passed before Columban Gigl could be elected as the new abbot in Metten Monastery in January 1744. Columban Gigl's term of office was overshadowed by the consequences of the war, which placed considerable financial burdens on the monastery. Nevertheless, Abbot Columban Gigl managed to complete the monastery wing begun by his predecessor with the large ballroom (the equipment of the hall could only be completed by his successor). In addition, the workshops and farm buildings of the monastery could be renewed.

literature

• Wilhelm Fink , History of the Development of the Benedictine Abbey of Metten. Vol. 1: The professorship book of the abbey (studies and communications on the history of the Benedictine order and its branches. Supplementary booklet 1,1), Munich 1927, p. 45.
• Maurus Gandershofer , The merits of the Benedictines of Metten for the care of the sciences and the arts. A recollection dedicated to the former residents of this monastery , Landshut 1841, p. 19.
• Rupert Mittermüller , The Metten Monastery and its Aebte. An overview of the history of this old Benedictine monastery , Straubing 1856, pp. 216–220.
• Plazidus Moser, The dove sent by God and resting in God, or speech of praise, funeral and honor, at which solennen Exequien Weyland of Mr. Columbani, of the cloister Metten Abbtens , Straubing 1753.

Web links

• Text of the funeral speech given by Plazidus Moser OSB, Prior of Niederaltaich, to Abbot Columban Gigl on Google Books
• Totenrotel by Abbot Columban Gigl OSB

predecessor	Office	successor
Augustine II. Ostermayer	Abbot of Metten Monastery 1744–1752	Adalbert Tobiaschu