Abbot Claude Ehringer, OSB +1908-2007+ |
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On September 17, 2007 the bells tolled for Abbot Claude Ehringer who persevered in his monastic commitment for 77 years and was 60 days short of his 99th birthday. He was an ordained priest for 73 years. Abbot Claude Ehringer was born, Charles Perrette Ehringer, to John C. (Neal) Ehringer and Margaret Perrette on November 16, 1908 in Jeffersonville, Indiana. He was the second child of five children born to this family. |
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In 1922 he entered St. Meinrad Preparatory School at St. Meinrad, Indiana, at the young age of thirteen years. He was being formed for the priesthood and would receive a fine education. He graduated from St. Meinrad Preparatory school in 1927 with 25 other young men - men he would remember with fondness even up to the last years of life. He could even remember each one of their names. He entered St. Meinrad College in 1927. In 1929 he would accept his calling to the Benedictine life. In this class of novice fraters for St. Meinrad, 1929-1930, he would be associated with other monks who would come to California to start a foundation in 1958. These monks were Fr. Rudolph Siedling O.S.B., Fr. Bernardine Shine O.S.B., and Fr. Cornelius Waldo O.S.B. On August 6, 1930 he professed his temporary vows. He professed his Solemn Vows in 1933 and was ordained to the Diaconate on December 23, 1933. On May 22, 1934, he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood. He fondly remembered the men ordained with him and on his desk in his cell was a remembrance card of those who were ordained with him. On May 27, 1934, he offered his First Mass at his home parish of St. Augustine in Jeffersonville, Indiana. He was one of the oldest living members of this parish by church records. His fondness for his parish was well known and he always would offer Mass at the parish when he was in the area. From 1934 to 1948 Fr. Claude was Assistant to the Novice Master of the Benedictine Clerics at St. Meinrad. He was also involved in conducting retreats as well and was a well-respected retreat mentor. In 1948, he was appointed Novice Master and Superior of the Brothers at St. Meinrad. In 1961 he was assigned to St. Charles Priory at Oceanside. Again, he would be heavily involved in retreat work, as St. Charles was becoming a popular retreat center. Fr. Claude would succeed Fr. Rudolph Siedling O.S.B., the founding prior of the Oceanside Priory on August 26, 1965. Fr. Prior Claude would hold this position of religious superior of the Priory through the dependent and independent years of the Priory's existence. He would eventually become the first elected Abbot in 1983 at the age of 75. He would serve in this capacity until his resignation on August 20, 1994. He always remarked, he never retired but only resigned. This was evident from all the good work that he performed after his resignation. He was a well-respected spiritual mentor to many people and a well-beloved Oblate Director. The Oblate program increased in great numbers under his leadership. It was quoted the day he assumed his Priorship in 1965, "Man proposes and God disposes." He accepted whatever God disposed for him. In these latter years when ill health became evident, he was always positive and never complained. He was always faithful to the Divine Office and was always the first monk to enter the oratory early in the morning. He was faithful and committed to a holy hour every afternoon and could be found at 3:00 p.m. in the first chapel built on Benet Hill. He was a very community-minded monk and would be at all community functions until ill health prevented him. When his father was seriously ill he wrote a letter from St. Meinrad providing hope for his father who had just recently received the Sacrament of Extreme Unction, which is now called the Anointing of the Sick: "God by granting you the graces of this Sacrament is so preparing you to share with my dear mother in heaven the joys that will one day will be that of our whole family when we are all again together in heaven." His brothers, Edgar and Cornelius, and his sisters, Frances and Margaret preceded him in death. Nephews and nieces, Mary Sifferlen, Mary Voigt, Kevin Ehringer, Joan Smith, Marsha Underwood, Mary Lynn Jerrell, Charles Voigt, Jim Oeffinger, Dennis Ehringer, and Bobby Ehringer survive him, along with many grandnephews & nieces and great-grand nephews & nieces. The wake will be held in the Abbey Church on September 26 at 7:00 p.m. and the Funeral Mass will be held on September 27 at 11:00 a.m. with burial in the Abbey Cemetery. There will be a reception following the burial. For the repose of his soul three Masses will be offered by each priest of the monastery. The customary suffrages of charity are recommended to all the monks of the Congregation. Abbot Charles and Community |
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