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JOSEPH MOHR
Silent Night - Holy Night!
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JVisitors to Wagrain, one of Europe's top ski areas,
may tour the church where Joseph Mohr served as pastor. From his
gravesite, they can view the exterior of the parish house where he
lived and the school which was named in his honor.
An aerial gondola ride on "The Flying Mozart" offers a magnificent
Alpine panorama of the entire area, no matter what the season. Wagrain's
outstanding hotels, guest houses and restaurants are ready to serve visitors
throughout the year. |
Joseph Mohr
Joseph Mohr was born in the City of Salzburg on December 12, 1792, the
illegitimate son of Anna Schoiber. He began his studies locally at the
Academic Gymnasium under the patronage of the Salzburg Cathedral's choir
director, Johann Nepomuk Hiernle (1765-1850), who recognized young Mohr's
outstanding music abilities. |
Joseph Mohr
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Mohr left the Academic Gymnasium in 1808 when his benefactor, Hiernle,
could no longer provide funding for his protege's education. He then
became a musician at the Benedictine Monastery in Kremsmuenster, Upper
Austria, where he continued his studies at the Lyceum (high school).
In August 1811, Joseph Mohr was accepted into the seminary where he studied
for the priesthood. He was ordained in Salzburg Cathedral on August 21,
1815.
Fr. Mohr was assigned to a pilgrim church in Mariapfarr, in the Lungau
region of the Province of Salzburg, near the home of his paternal grandfather.
In 1816, during his residence in Mariapfarr, he wrote a poem,
"Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht!"
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When the young cleric fell seriously ill in 1817,
he was transferred from the harsh Alpine climate to Oberndorf, where
he served as assistant pastor to Fr. Joseph Noestler at St. Nicholas
Church. He remained in Oberndorf for two years where he became friends
with the parish organist, Franz Xaver Gruber, who was also the schoolmaster
in nearby Arnsdorf.
In 1838 Joseph Mohr was appointed pastor of the church in Wagrain and while
serving in that capacity, died of a lung disease on December 4, 1848. He
was known throughout the region for his generosity. He died penniless as
all his money had been given for eldercare and the education of the youth
in the area. |
Franz Xaver Gruber
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Franz Xaver Gruber (1787
bis 1863)
Franz Xaver Gruber was born November 25, 1787 in Hochburg,
Upper Austria, the son of a linen weaver. He received his musical training
in Burghausen from Georg Hartdobler, parish organist.
Upon completion of the required exams, Gruber accepted a teaching
position at Arnsdorf, November 12, 1807. The teacher's job was combined
with the duties of verger and organist in Maria am Mosel Church.
From 1816 to 1829, he also served as choir director and organist
at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf. |
On December 24, 1818, Rev. Joseph Mohr gave a
poem he had written in 1816 to his friend Gruber with the suggestion
that he add a melody for guitar accompaniment. Fr. Mohr wanted
them to sing the new carol at Midnight Mass. Gruber prepared the
music for two male voices with the choir joining to repeat the
last two lines of each verse.
Later that night, when "Silent Night" was sung for the first
time, neither man could know that it would one day be heard around the
world and live in the hearts of people everywhere. |
Pictured below is the grave of Joseph Mohr who died in
Wagrain on December
4, 1848. A Christmas tree decorates his grave each December and in the
warmer months, flowers adorn his final resting place. |
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prayer of Joseph Mohr from 1813 was discovered by Teisendorf
in the parish archive: |
Without Jesus! You my only,
you might mean whole hope!
Pious souls call you.
Without Jesus! Sweet name! You is truer to friend of the soul!
You are the ear a sweet one sound, the mouth a sweet honey,
the heart of a sky potion!
Drive the soul darkness, fill the world
with your sweetness!
It might remain with us or gentleman and your light might give us!
Drive the soul darkness! Lodging with us or gentleman!
Hallelujah!
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