In Pace Christi

Our Brother, Karl Eigner, was born on January 11th, 1910 in Manholz, in the Diocese of Eichstatt. As young man of 17, already quite a proficient tailor, he carne to us in May 1927 as a student. In December he left Josefstal for Brixen where he took the habit on Christmas Day 1927 and began his novitiate. On St. Joseph's Day (March 19), 1930, he made his first profession and vowed himself definitely to God by taking the perpetual vows on Christmas Day, 1935.

Until 1940, he remained at the mission house in Milland as an assistant tailor. In July, 1940, he was transferred to Mellatz. Eight months later, in February, 1941, he was drafted into military service and sent to the front as a nurse. During his four years in field hospitals, he himself was wounded, once severely and four times slightly. Towards the end of the war he was taken prisoner by the Russians, but was released in August, 1945.

He returned to the community of Mellatz, where he did valuable work as a tailor. In 1958, he had to change community once again. He was assigned to the St. Heinrich community of Bamberg. As a tailor and door-keeper, he had a lot of work. During his last two years, God gave him a cross to bear in the form of a long bout of kidney disease. Bro. Hans Abt, who, at the time, was still a member of the Bamberg community, proved a very attentive nurse. Every now and then, Bro. Karl had to be taken to the hospital for a few weeks at the time.

From November, 1986, until his death, he remained in the small infirmary at the Ellwangen provincialate where Bro. Abt continued to take care of him. Bro. Karl was very grateful for this brotherly assistance. The Father Provincial and all the confrères of the DSP say once again to Bro. Hans Abt a sincere and heartfelt "may God reward you" for his selfless service to the Brother.

Little has been recorded in writing about the life of Bro. Karl Eigner. He was a rather quiet yet friendly man. He didn't draw attention to himself by extraordinary feats, but rather by his simplicity and modesty. He impressed others with his selfless service as a tailor, door-keeper and sacristan. Bro. Karl was always happy when the confreres visited him in his tailor's workroom. He was always good-tempered and ready for a chat with the confreres. He had a sense of humour and was also capable of sincere joyfulness. He was grateful, especially during his illness, for every visit and encouraging word he received. As a door-keeper he met many people. Many knew and appreciated him as a kind, humane door-keeper. Many gifts and presents were brought to the monastery door where Bro. Karl received them. But I am convinced that most of the people who met him there returned home feeling inwardly enriched by his friendliness willingness. His smile, full of goodness, with which he received each and every visitor on the threshold of the house, but especially the confreres, is not easy to forget. Bro Karl was a calm man; he didn't speak much, but whenever there was a need to help a confrere, he was there. Bro. Karl never declined an invitation to a game of billiards. He was a good player. Yet, for him it was not a matter of showing how good he was at the game, but rather of being in the company of his community. What I liked so much about him was his readiness to participate in whatever the community was doing; be it prayer, work or play, Karl was always there. For the example of fidelity he set as a member of our Society and for all the services he rendered in the various communities, we are sincerely grateful to him. May the Lord grant him his eternal reward.                          Fr. Georg Klose

Da Mccj Bulletin n. 154, luglio 1987, p.60

Br. Eigner Karl (11.01.1910 – 21.01.1987)

Br. Karl wurde am 11. Januar 1910 in Manholz, Bayern geboren. Im Alter von 17 Jahren trat er als Bruderpostulant in Josefstal ein. Er war bereits ein tüchtiger Schneider. Am Weihnachtsfest 1927 begann er in Milland das Noviziat und am Fest des hl. Josef (19. März) 1930 legte er seine ersten Gelübde ab. Am Weihnachtstag 1935 weihte er sich endgültig durch die ewigen Gelübde dem Herrn und der Mission. Er hat praktisch sein ganzes Leben lang das Schneiderhandwerk ausgeübt. Bis 1940 verblieb er als Schneidergehilfe in Milland. 1940 wurde er nach Mellatz versetzt.

Nach acht Monaten wurde er 1941 zum Militär einberufen und als Sanitäter an die Front geschickt. Er wurde fünf Mal verwundet. Gegen Kriegsende fiel er in russische Gefangenschaft, wurde aber im August 1945 bereits entlassen. Er kehrte gleich nach Mellatz zurück und nahm seine Arbeit in der Schneiderei wieder auf. 1958 musste er die Hausgemeinschaft wechseln und ins Scholastikat nach Bamberg umziehen. Als Pförtner und Schneider hatte er dort die Hände voll zu tun. Während der letzten zwei Lebensjahre litt er an einer Nierenkrankheit. Br. Hans Abt, der damals zur Hausgemeinschaft Bamberg gehörte, erwies sich als ein sehr umsichtiger Krankenwärter. Immer wieder musste Br. Karl für einige Wochen ins Krankenhaus gebracht werden.

Die Zeit vom November 1986 bis zu seinem Tod verbrachte er in einem kleinen Krankenzimmer in Ellwangen und Br. Abt betreute ihn. Br. Karl war sehr dankbar für diesen brüderlichen Beistand. Der Provinzial und die Mitbrüder der DSP danken Br. Abt für seinen aufopferungsvollen Dienst. Br. Karl verschied am 25. Januar 1987 in Ellwangen.

Br. Karl war ein sehr schweigsamer Mitbruder. Er wollte nicht auffallen. Die Mitbrüder waren beeindruckt bei seinem selbstlosen Dienst als Schneider, Pförtner und Sakristan. Er freute sich, wenn Mitbrüder ihn in seiner Schneiderei besuchten. Er war humorvoll und verlieh seiner Freude auch sichtbaren Ausdruck. Während seiner Krankheit war er für jeden Besuch und für jedes ermutigendes Wort dankbar. Als Pförtner begegnete er vielen Leuten. Viele kannten ihn und alle schätzten den guten, sehr menschlichen Pförtner. Ich glaube, viele Menschen kehrten froher nach Hause zurück und fühlten sich bereichert durch die Begegnung mit dem Bruder. Sein jüngerer Bruder Georg war auch Comboni-Missionar und wirkte viele Jahre in der südafrikanischen Mission.

Br. Karl spielte gerne Billard und war ein guter Spieler. Es ging ihm nicht um den Sieg, ihm war das Beisammensein wichtig. Er nahm an allen Tätigkeiten der Gemeinschaft teil: am Gebet, an der Arbeit und am Spiel. Karl war immer zur Stelle. Die Mitbrüder und Hausgemeinschaften, in denen er gearbeitet hatte, sind ihm zu großem Dank verpflichtet. Möge der Herr ihn reichlich belohnen. R.I.P.     P. Georg Klose mccj