Fr. Curt Lanzrath, OFM
Fr. Curt Lanzrath, OFM, surrounded by students from Texas A & M on a 3-day bus pilgrimage to help him move back to Cincinnati in 2007.
Wherever he served, Franciscan Fr. Curt Lanzrath, OFM,
was remembered for his boyish grin & optimistic attitude.
~
Fr. Curt, a former chaplain at St. Mary's and St. Francis Hospitals, died Aug. 4 at St. Margaret Hall in Cincinnati at the age of 90.
A native of Greeley, Kansas, he was one of five children. He was ordained June 8, 1954. Besides ministering as a chaplain, Fr. Lanzrath gave retreats and parish missions and served in parishes in Illinois, Indiana, New Mexico Louisiana and Kansas.
Fr. Curt Lanzrath, OFM
Fr. Curt was a wonderful priest who found joy and appreciation for everything in life. He was relentlessly positive.
After only one year of retirement, he decided that at the young age of 73, retirement did not really suit him. He became chaplain for the Poor Clares in Brenham Texas. Apparently, that was still too close to retirement because he quickly volunteered for what he described as one of the best experiences of his life as an unofficial but deeply loved part of the campus ministry at Texas A & M. He’d spend the day visiting with students, giving spiritual direction and hearing confessions.
For a man who really never had much interest in sports, he found he was an Aggie at heart! He wore the logo with pride.
After nine years in Texas, Fr. Curt came back to Cincinnati to retire. To show their love and appreciation for his life of sacrificial service, 23 students, former students and friends joined him on a three day bus trip pilgrimage to his new home in Cincinnati. In honor of his example and because Fr. Curt counseled many students as they discerned their future, the theme for the pilgrimage was “vocations”. Throughout the trip, the bus was filled with prayer and song, and Mass was celebrated at stops along the way.
“In a world that teaches people to look out for themselves, there are some who remind us that our true calling is to give our lives to God and others. Fr. Curt is one of them,” said Tucker Redding, one of those on the trip.
Before leaving, they all prayed for and over Fr. Curt wishing him joy in his new ministry.
Rest in the hands of the Lord, Fr. Curt. We miss you!
Portions of this article were taken from A Pilgrimage for a Priest by Mary Walker of St. Mary's Catholic Center, Texas A & M University, NCDVD Volume 28, Number 4, Fall 2007.
Posted in: News, Prayer, Senior Friars
