Capuchin Pierre Hostettler from western Switzerland has died – kath.ch
Assisi and sacred music were his passion. On Sunday, July 17, the Capuchin Pierre Hostettler died at the age of 79. He was the last Capuchin preacher at the Freiburg Cathedral.
Raphaël Zbinden, cath.ch / Adaptation: Barbara Ludwig
Without admitting it to himself, Pierre Hostettler wanted to «see Assisi again and die». But he didn’t succeed. This is what his confrere Bernard Maillard writes in an appraisal that will soon be published in «Frères en marche», the Swiss Capuchin mission journal.
Repatriation on the way to Assisi
Pierre Hostettler had been ill for two years. Nevertheless, on May 18th he started a pilgrimage to Assisi. Together with his brother Marcel Durrer he was responsible for the week-long pilgrimage. However, Hostettler had to be taken to the hospital in Sitten VS during the outward journey because his health was deteriorating. He died a few months later, on July 17, in Sion.
Pierre Hostettler was born in Geneva in 1943, his family had roots in Bern. He obtained his Matura at the College of Saint-Maurice Abbey in Valais. In 1964 he began the novitiate in the Capuchin order. Hostettler, Theology in the Capuchin Monastery in Sion. In 1970 he was ordained a priest by the Swiss Capuchin Olivier Maradan, who was then a missionary bishop in the Seychelles.
Member of the Freiburg Landwehr
In 1971 the order sent him to Paris to study liturgical musicology at the “Institut catholique”. There he earned a certificate as a choirmaster. After completing his studies, Pierre Hostettler entered the monastery in Friborg in 1973. He was the last Capuchin preacher at the cathedral. The Capuchin took trombone and piano lessons at the Geneva Conservatory. He also became a member of the Landwehr, the official brass band of the canton and city of Fribourg.
As a member of the commissions, Pierre Hostettler enthusiastically campaigned for the conciliar renewal, writes Bernard Maillard in his tribute. In particular, he contributed to the publication of the first post-conciliar liturgical hymn book.
Stations in Saint-Maurice, Geneva, Friborg and Sion
From 1976 the Capuchin was part of the team at the «Foyer franciscain» in Saint-Maurice, a meeting place. In 1984 he was transferred to Geneva, where he lived until the Capuchin community there was dissolved. Pierre Hostettler returned to Saint-Maurice in 2004 and took over the management of the “Foyer franciscain”, which he held until 2016.
The Capuchin was then guardian of the Capuchin monastery in Freiburg for three years. There he was involved in parish work and was active as President of the Association of Religious Communities (Ascoref). In the fall of 2019, Hostettler moved to Sitten.
Hostettler has held various posts of responsibility within the Order. Among other things, he was regional superior of the Capuchins twice.
Soccer fan and skier
Pierre Hostettler was also enthusiastic about sports, especially football. He didn’t miss any of the football games on TV. He skis and organized the “Cup Delavy” several times, in which priests competed against each other.
Marcel Durrer, a long-time companion of the deceased, remembers a “very committed, strong and well-prepared” man.
Open and creative
Marcel Durrer, a long-time companion of Brother Hostettler, remembers a “very dedicated, strong and well-prepared” man. He also recalled his openness and creativity in the liturgical field, “always with absolute respect for the norms,” noted the Capuchin resident of Sion.
Durrer also appreciates his brother’s willingness to take on responsibility and tasks. Under mentioned his significant exposure in western Switzerland in the fields of liturgy and church music. For his part, Bernard Maillard emphasized that Hostettler “never tired of reporting on his faith and his joy in following Francis and Clare of Assisi”.
Pierre Hostettler’s funeral was held in Sion on Tuesday 19 July. The thirtieth mass with urn burial will take place on Sunday, August 21, at 8 a.m. in the Capuchin monastery in Sion.
© Catholic Media Center, 07/21/2022
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