Otto Strohmaier

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Abbot Otto Strohmaier, portrait in the abbot gallery in the prelate hall of the St. Lambrecht monastery

Otto Strohmaier OSB (born March 15, 1937 in Halltal near Mariazell ) is an Austrian Benedictine who was abbot of St. Lambrecht Abbey from 1982 to 2013 .

Life

Otto Strohmaier was born on March 15, 1937 as one of twelve children of a farming family in Halltal near Mariazell. After graduating from Seitenstetten Abbey High School, he entered the novitiate of St. Lambrecht Abbey on September 5, 1957 . He then studied theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Sant'Anselmo in Rome and was ordained a priest on July 7, 1963 , before he worked as a chaplain in Mariazell for a few years . When Maximilian Aichern , Abbot of St. Lambrecht since 1964, was appointed diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Linz in December 1981 and consecrated in January 1982, Strohmaier succeeded him and was elected the new Abbot of St. Lambrecht on February 3, 1982. A little more than two months later, on April 12, 1982, he received his benediction. In addition to his work there, he was also active as a pastor in the branch community of St. Blasen , as well as in spiritual accompaniment. Furthermore, he led icon painting courses in the monastery for many years and did so after his resignation as abbot. Actually, after having passed the age limit of seventy, he was re-elected as abbot on February 5, 2007 for a further six years.

After more than 31 years in office, his term of office expired on March 15, 2013; his successor Benedikt Plank was elected as the new abbot on February 6, 2013 and appointed on March 16, 2016. During Strohmaier's tenure, numerous cultural initiatives such as artist encounters or film retreats , as well as many concerts, took place. He also founded the so-called school of existence , a meeting center in the converted southern wing of the monastery. In addition to spiritual and creative seminars, it also offers management courses. While he was still in office, Strohmaier publicly questioned celibacy for priests. In 2017 he published the last two parts of a book trilogy. This began with the publication of the first book, which he designed in collaboration with two of his brothers, in 2015.

Writings / works (selection)

  • Otto Strohmaier: When stones speak. A meditative tour of the St. Lambrecht Abbey. Published on the occasion of the commemoration of the imperial confirmation of the abbey in 1096 and the return of the convent after World War II in 1946 . Self-published, Sankt Lambrecht 1996.
  • Otto Strohmaier: Way of the Cross of the Hour - Texts and meditations by em. Abbot Otto Strohmaier with drawings by his brothers Thomas and Sepp . Self-published, Sankt Lambrecht 2015.
  • Otto Strohmaier: A look over . Self-published, Sankt Lambrecht 2017.
  • Otto Strohmaier: Does he hear me? Self-published, Sankt Lambrecht 2017.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ "View over": Lambrecht's emeritus abbot presents two books , accessed on September 20, 2018
  2. ^ "Culture in the parish hall" on February 26th: Former abbot and doctor on correct aging - "Body and soul - a healing encounter" , accessed on September 20, 2018
  3. ↑ Abbot Otto was re-elected , accessed on September 20, 2018
  4. ↑ Abbot questions celibacy for priests , accessed September 20, 2018
  5. ↑ Invitation to the book presentation 2017 , accessed on September 20, 2018
  6. ↑ Invitation to the book presentation 2015 , accessed on September 20, 2018
predecessor Office successor
Maximilian Aichern Abbot of St. Lambrecht Abbey
1982-2013 		Benedict Plank
personal data
SURNAME Strohmaier, Otto
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Austrian Benedictine and abbot
DATE OF BIRTH March 15, 1937
PLACE OF BIRTH Halltal near Mariazell , Austria