The following information about the Fathers from the Second Edition of the Society of the Divine Savior, "On Whose Shoulders We Stand", published 2005. Salvatorian Archives, 2506 N. Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53213-1135
Collection compiled by Michael R. Hoffman SDS
Submitted by Bob Domagalski, contact information on contributors page.
FATHER ROBERT WAGNER Father Robert Wagner, SDS, age 91, died on Saturday, April 3, at the Health Center of Alexian Village. He was born in St. Nazianz, on June 2, 1918, son of Julius and Monica (Kustermann) Wagner. Joined the Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians) on Sept. 8, 1942. He was ordained a priest on June 11, 1946. He taught in seminaries in Blackwood, N.J.; St. Nazianz, Wis.; and Lanham, M.D.; ministered as Retreat Director in Sioux City, Iowa; and Blackwood, N.J.; parish priest at St. Pius X Parish in Wauwatosa, and several parishes in Huntsville, Ala.; and as a counselor in Mishawaka, Ind., and Glenwood, Iowa. Also served four years as the Salvatorians' Vicar General and Consultor in Rome. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Francis (killed in action in World War II), Dr. Alois, and James,; and one sister: Joan (Arthur) Boecker. (Survivors omitted for privacy.) Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 7, 2010, at 11 a.m. at The Chapel of Alexian Village, 9301 N. 76th St., Milwaukee. Visitation will be on Wednesday at the Chapel from 10 a.m. until time of Mass. Burial will be Wednesday, 3 p.m. at Salvatorian Cemetery, St. Nazianz, Wis. Schramka Funeral Home 7841 W. Appleton Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53218 (414) 464-4040 Herald Times Reporter, April 6, 2010
BROTHER NAZARIUS WALLNEY/WALLNY SDS Born January 10, 1870 - Died May 18, 1931 Brother Nazarius Wallney (birth name: Joseph) was born in Kosmuetz, Germany, in 1870. He entered the Society in 1894 and made his profession of vows on June 21, 1895. That year, the Founder, Fr. Francis Jordan, sent him to the United States to assist the Salvatorian missionaries in Oregon. His activities consisted in being a cook, sacristan, and gardener, feeding and caring for the horses, and helping with the household chores. Bro. Nazarius loved riding horseback to accompany the missionaries on their trips to the various mission sites. He often assisted Fr. Felix Bucher in caring for the sick and burying the dead in the mostly Native American missions. In 1908, Bro. Nazarius went to St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, where he ministered to the community as porter, guest master, and infirmarian. He also solicited funds and subscriptions to the various Salvatorian publications throughout Wisconsin. It was in these travels that he became known as "Bruder Rotbart" - "Brother Red Beard," because of his rust-colored beard. He was much loved by all who knew him, and he is remembered as a gentle, courteous, friendly, unassuming, and prayerful religious. In early May 1931, he became seriously ill with pneumonia and died a few weeks later. Many people came to St. Nazianz from far and near to attend his funeral. He was buried in the community cemetery on Loretto Hill.
FATHER ERNEST WALTER SDS Born July 17, 1927 - Died January 2, 1983 Father Ernest Walter (birth name: John Leonard) was born on July 17, 1927 in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, for high school and the first two years of college. In 1949, he entered the Novitiate in Menominee, Michigan, and he made his profession of vows on September 8, 1950. After completing his studies at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, and Catholic University in Washington, DC, he was ordained in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on June 9, 1956. Fr. Ernest taught Religion, Latin, Algebra, Geometry, and Music at St. Pius X Seminary in Rio Dell, California; and at Trinity Prep Seminary in Sioux City, Iowa. He returned to California in 1964, and once again taught in St. Pius X Seminary, which by now had relocated to Galt, since his previous assignment there. He later taught in Bishop Manogue High School in Reno, Nevada. Beginning in 1974, Fr. Ernie ministered in various parishes in Nevada. For five years, he was pastor of St. Patrick's Parish in Tonopah. In May 1982, he suffered a heart attack, and he retired from full-time ministry later that year. While visiting the community in Phoenix, Arizona, he suffered another heart attack on January 2, 1983, and died in St. Luke's Hospital there. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. Fr. Ernie is remembered as a kind man and a deeply spiritual priest, generous with his time to anyone in need.
BROTHER ARSENIUS WEHRLE SDS Born February 23, 1861 - March 17, 1917 Brother Arsenius Wehrle was born in Augsburg, Bavaria, on February 23, 1861. He entered the Society in Rome, Italy, in 1895, and he made his profession of vows on December 9, 1896. In the following year, the Founder, Fr. Francis Jordan, sent him to the United States, to St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, where he assisted the newly- founded Salvatorian community, which was operating a large farm and building St. Ambrose Chapel at the time. Bro. Arsenius spent his twenty-two years in religious life in St. Nazianz with the early Salvatorian pioneers. He was a gardener and sacristan; he stoked the furnace fires and worked in the fields. He was an energetic and industrious worker with a stern and austere demeanor. In his later years, Bro. Arsenius, succumbed to the infectious disease of erysipelas (also known as "St. Anthony's Fire") while taking care of infirmed students. A true "Good Samaritan," he died on March 17, 1917, at the age of 46. He was buried in the cemetery of St. Gregory's Parish in the village of St. Nazianz, but in 1928, when the community established its own cemetery on Loretto Hill, his remains were transferred there.
FATHER EMMERAN WEIDINGER SDS Born May 17, 1887 - Died April 25, 1948 Father Emmeran Weidinger (birth name: Otto) was born in Osten, Bavaria, in 1887, and he attended elementary school in Ulbering, Germany. After two years of military service, he went to the Salvatorian seminary in Hamont, Belgium, where he began his studies for the priesthood, in 1909. He came to the United States in 1911 to complete his studies in philosophy and theology in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. Following his Novitiate year, he made his profession of vows on September 8, 1915. He was ordained to the priesthood in St. Ambrose Chapel on August 28, 1921. Fr. Emmeran spent many years teaching classical languages in the seminary, and assisting in the local parishes on the weekends. Later in life, he served as chaplain in St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan. In 1942, he suffered a heart attack, and its complications left him partially blind – a condition from which he never fully recovered. The impairment of his sight made celebrating Mass and ministering outside the monastery impossible for him for the remaining years of his life, but he accepted his disability as patiently as he could. He died on April 25, 1948, in Holy Family Hospital in Manitowoc, and he was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. ******** Sunday, August 28, was a red-letter day at the College of the Salvatorian Fathers, St. Nazianz. At 9 o'clock in the morning in the College Church of St. Ambrose, there took place the ordination to the priesthood of six young clerics, the first to complete the entire course of studies at the college, which opened its doors in 1909. The order of priesthood was conferred by the Right Reverand Paul P. Rhode, D.D., Bishop of Green Bay and long before the services began the church was taxed to its utmost capacity with friends and relatives of the Fathers and clerics. Dinner was served to many visiting guests and at 4 o'clock in the afternoon solemn benediction was given with one of the newly ordained priests. Bebe Friedrick S.D.S., as officiant. Once more on Tuesday morning, the 30th was the church packed upon the occasion of the First Solemn masses of three of the young priets, Willibald Unger S.D.S., Rev. Landeline Glass, S.D.S., and Rev. Emmeran Weidinger S.D.S. The two last named said their first masses at the side altars while Rev. Father Willibald sang solemn high mass at the high altar, with Rev. Simon Borkowski S.D.S. as Deacon and Rev. Bebe Friedrick, S.D.S., as sub deacon. Very Rev. Dorotheus Brugger, Provincial of the Salvatorian Fathers acted as presbyter assistant and Rev. Father Michael Hoess, S.D.S., as master of ceremonies. The sermon, a forceful and eloquent exposition of the priestly office, was preached by the Rev. Father Hammel, pastor of St. Mary's, Menasha and the sanctuary was filled with priests from near and far, come together to do honor to the newly ordained. The music, which was of very high order, was rendered by the choir of the parish church of St. Gregory's through the kindness of the Sisters of the school, who directed the choir and of the pastor, Rev. Epiphanius Diebele, S.D.S., under whom the young men just ordained began their studies at the college. The rest of the young priests will each say his first solemn high mass in the home parish on Sunday, Sept. 4; Father Simon Borkowski in Sheboygan, Father Bebe Friedrich in Amsterdam, N.Y., and Father Winifrid Herbst in Poygen, Wis. Manitowoc Pilot - Thurs., Sept. 1, 1921
BROTHER LIBERATUS WELTE SDS Born December 4, 1886 - Died November 24, 1931 Brother Liberatus Welte (birth name: Karl) was born in Obereisenbach, Germany, in 1886. He joined the Society in 1909, and he made his profession of vows on September 14, 1911. During World War I, he was called into military service by his native country, and he was assigned to the heavy artillery unit. This service would come to impair his hearing later in life, but it also contributed to his being a lover of the cannon! For years, as a Brother in St. Nazianz, he delighted in shooting off the cannon salute during the Corpus Christi processions. On hearing the loud cannon booms the community members would smile and say, “There goes Brother Liberatus!” After he arrived in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, in 1922, he was assigned to work in the blacksmith shop. He had been a blacksmith by trade, and it is said that he could make almost anything out of iron – a pencil clip, a missal stand, a wagon, or a windmill. Strong and sturdy, he would often playfully remark: “The smithy – a mighty man is he!” But there was a softer side to this man as well. He had the additional task of ringing the Angelus bell every morning, noon, and evening in the monastery bell tower, and he took care of the vigil lights in the chapel on Loretto Hill. On November 24, 1931, Bro. Liberatus died in Holy Family Hospital in Manitowoc, after suffering for a long time with ulcers. Just days after his burial in the community cemetery on Loretto Hill, an envelope containing his well-worn watch was found at the foot of the statue of the Blessed Mother in Loretto Chapel, with a note that read: “O Mary, I beg you to fix this watch for me again, and I will gladly always ring the Angelus bell for you and out of love for Jesus. – Your loving son, Brother Liberatus.”
FATHER ALBERT WILSON SDS Father Albert Wilson (birth name: Willis Joseph) was born in Escanaba, Michigan, on October 8, 1913. He became familiar with the Society when he was a student in Jordan College, in Menominee, Michigan, which he attended for two years. He entered the Novitiate in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, in 1934, and he made his profession of vows on September 8, 1935. He remained in St. Nazianz for his first year of philosophy studies and then the scholastics went to the newly-established Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, where he completed his studies for the priesthood, attending Catholic University in Washington, DC. He was ordained in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on June 11, 1940. Fr. Albert taught at Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz; and then was dean of discipline at Jordan Seminary, in Menominee, Michigan. In 1942, he entered the Army as a military chaplain during the World War II years. After the war, he assisted in the Salvatorian Mission House in Elkton, Maryland, for a short time, and then returned to army chaplaincy until his retirement from the military in 1966. In his years of service, Fr. Albert received numerous honors and medals of service. He served on bases in the Philippines, Korea, New Guinea, Alaska, Japan, Germany, and Hawaii. For a short year-and-a-half before his death from cancer on November 24, 1968, Fr. Albert served as the first Salvatorian pastor of St. Rita in the Desert Parish in Vail, Arizona. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin.
FATHER HERIBERT WINKLER SDS Born October 8, 1875 - Died July 13, 1967 Father Heribert Winkler (birth name: Aloysius) was born in 1875, in Templefeld, Germany, the youngest of nine children. When he was just 12-weeks old, his father died in a drowning accident, while saving two boys from an ice-covered pond. After his elementary school education, Aloysius entered the shipping trade. When he learned of the Society in 1897, he went to Rome, Italy, and he was sent to the seminary in Tivoli. But just before he was to begin his Novitiate, he went home to heal from a throat ailment, and to attend to family matters following the death of his mother. He continued with seminary studies in Berlin, Germany, and Fribourg, Switzerland. He traveled in the Holy Lands, Egypt, and in South Africa, where he briefly entered a Trappist community. Eventually, he made his way back to Rome and he entered the Society’s Novitiate. He made his profession of vows on May 10, 1905, and was ordained a priest on December 1, 1907. Fr. Heribert was sent to Liverpool, England, for three years of preparation to work in the mission in Assam, India. He arrived in Assam in early 1911. He taught in the school and the orphanage, and was pastor of the parish in Shillong. In 1915, all the German missionaries were expelled from India, and were sent to an internment camp in England. After his release, he returned to Germany and served as chaplain to the soldiers during World War I. In 1920, he came to the United States to raise funds for the missions in India, with the hopes of returning there. But because the government in India would not allow the German missionaries to return, Fr. Heribert was sent to be the Superior of the Salvatorian missions in China, where he ministered for fourteen years. The years in China were difficult. One of the community’s priests was killed by the Communists, another was held prisoner, and two died from disease. But despite these setbacks, Fr. Heribert remained faithful to his duties. He returned to the United States in 1936, and directed the Salvatorian Mission House in Elkton, Maryland. Later, he was engaged in hospital ministry in several places, including many years in Anna Reiss Nursing Home in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He retired to St. Nazianz and remained in good health until his peaceful death on July 13, 1967, at the age of 92. He was buried in the community cemetery on Loretto Hill.
NOVICE RAYMOND WINKLER SDS Born May 14, 1940 - December 27, 1995 Brother Novice Raymond Anthony Winkler was born in 1940 in Oriska, North Dakota, a small farming community in the eastern part of the state, not far from Fargo. He was hoping to attend seminary high school, but his parents preferred that he wait until after college to decide about priesthood and religious life. After graduating from St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, he joined the Navy. While in the Navy, he discovered an interest in health care. After his discharge from the service, he entered nursing school, and upon completion, he worked in the hospital in his hometown for a few years, and then later in a larger hospital in Fargo. He worked as a nurse in the operating rooms for thirteen years. After similar employment in other hospitals around the country, he made his way to Mesa, Arizona, and worked at Mesa General Hospital. He became acquainted with the Salvatorian community as a parishioner of Queen of Peace Parish there, and he later gained an interest in joining the Lay Salvatorians. After his formation, he made his commitment as a Lay Salvatorian on April 24, 1993. His experience as a Salvatorian deepened his faith-life and rekindled his religious vocation. He entered the Society as a Brother candidate in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1994, and he began his Novitiate there in the Fall of 1995. But his past experiences in nursing had brought him into contact with Hepatitis B, and although it had been managed successfully for several years, the disease began to manifest itself more aggressively. Knowing that his life was nearing its end, Raymond was allowed to make his profession of vows before the completion of his Novitiate year. He made that profession on December 12, 1995, and he died two weeks later on December 27th, in Columbia Hospital. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Raymond is remembered as a man of deep faith who understood the power of God's healing touch. It was that touch that he brought to his patients for many years.
FATHER RAPHAEL WITTIG SDS Born March 5, 1879 - Died July 27, 1930 Father Raphael Wittig was born in Silesia, Germany, in 1879. He entered the Society in Rome, Italy, at the age of 17. Following his Novitiate, he made his profession of vows on November 26, 1897. He began his studies for the priesthood a the Gregorian University in Rome, but because the climate in Rome did not agree with his frail health, he finished his studies at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland. He was ordained in Fribourg on July 25, 1902. Fr. Raphael was sent to the United States, to the community in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, where he engaged in pastoral ministry, giving parish missions in the area, and conducting retreats for the laity, for which he became well known. He was active in the foundation and direction of men's and women's societies in the local parishes. While in St. Nazianz, he founded and managed the Publishing Department and was editor of "Manna" magazine for several years. In 1922, he went to Milwaukee to help lay the groundwork for a new parish for the Society. His work ultimately resulted in the foundation of Mother of Good Counsel Parish. In 1928, Fr. Raphael was elected Provincial. Within two years, however, his new responsibilities began to take its toll on his frail health, and he went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He died there on July 27, 1930. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Fr. Angelus Muenzloher completed the last six months of his term as Provincial. Fr. Raphael is remembered as an eloquent, gentle, and very spiritual priest. ******** VERY REV. R. WITTIG, U.S. PROVINCIAL OF SALVATORIANS, DEAD Milwaukee, Aug. 8. - The Very Rev. Raphael Wittig, S.D.S., provincial of the Divine Savior in the United States who died last week in Rochester, Minn., of heart disease, was buried last Friday morning from the Salvatorian College at St. Nazianz, Wis. Father Wittig had gone to Rochester to consult the Mayo Brothers at their noted clinic there. He was 51 years old. Father Wittig was born in Silesia, Germany on March 5, 1879. In 1896 he entered the Society of the Divine Savior at Rome. The early part of his seminary course was taken at the Gregorian University in the Eternal City and completed at the Catholic University of Fribourg, Switzerland where he was ordained to the priesthood in1902. After working for many years at the Motherhouse of the Society at St. Nazianz, Father Wittig was appointed Provincial in 1928. In 1906 when the Catholic Women's League of Wisconsin affiliated with the Catholic Central Verein of America he became its spiritual director. The Catholic Advance, Wichita, Kansas Aug. 30, 1930
BROTHER FABIAN WOJCINSKI SDS Born October 29, 1913 - Died August 21, 1990 Brother Fabian Wojcinski (birth name: Clement Paul) was born in 1913 in West Allis, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee. He entered the Society in St. Nazianz in 1934 as a Brother candidate. Following his Novitiate there, he made his profession of vows on September 8, 1936. Bro. Fabian lived and worked in several different communities, using his farming and maintenance skills in various places that were just beginning or building. He spent time at Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland; at Jordan Seminary in Menominee, Michigan; and finally back in St. Nazianz, where he ministered to the community for twenty-seven years. In the field of maintenance, Bro. Fabian was fond of developing his own formulas for cleaning fluids and floor waxes, because he found most of the commercially available products to be deficient. The beauty of the buildings surely proved that he knew what he was doing. He also spent fifteen years working in the Jordan Stamp Mart, collecting stamps that could be resold to benefit the missions. In 1985, when the community relocated to the Jordan House in Milwaukee, Bro. Fabian chose to begin his retirement years living with the community in St. Pius X Parish in Wauwatosa. In 1987, he moved into an apartment complex. On August 21, 1990, as he was about to begin another day of “ministering while retired” and take some furniture he had refinished back to its owner, he died suddenly, and was found behind the wheel of his truck in the parking lot. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Bro. Fabian is remembered as a spirited, energetic man who laughed heartily at a good joke, carried more keys on his key-ring than most people because there were so many places he needed to get into, and for his deep devotion to Mary, Mother of the Savior. He was proud that so many visitors remarked how beautiful were the seminaries and community houses in which he lived, due in part to his faithful devotion to his work.
BROTHER MATTHEW WOOD SDS Wood, Br. Matthew, SDS, age 76, died February 17 at Alexian Village, Milwaukee. Born September 7, 1938 at Battle Creek, MI, son of the late Chester and Irene (Ball) Wood. Entered the Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians) on June 29, 1962. Ministered in Salvatorian schools until 19698 when he became principal photographer at Salvatorian Center in New Holstein until retirement in 2004. He is survived by one brother, Charles Wood of New Holstein and one sister, Joann (John) Curry of Colorado Springs, OC as well as his brothers and sisters in the Salvatorian Family. Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, February 26, 11 a.m. at the Chapel of Alexian Village; 9301 N. 76th St. Visitation Thursday at the Chapel from 10 a.m. until time of Mass. Burial Thursday 3 p.m. at Salvatorian Cemetery in St. Nazianz, WI. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Feb. 25, 2015