RIP: 19/08/2021 - Mistelbach
Fr. Markus (Anton) Waibel was born on 20 October 1943 in Lustenau. On the rec-ommendation of the priest, he went to the Salvatorian boarding school in Lochau. From 1959-1961 he attended the II Bundesgymnasium in Graz. He was recom-mended to become a religious brother, which brought him to request to be admit-ted to the novitiate of the Salvatorians in Passau. He professed his first vows on the Feast of Mater Salvatoris and worked as a young brother in the college and parish of Vienna-Kaisermühlen. The desire to become a priest never left Brother Markus. He persistently went his way. After studies at the theological college in the Benedictine monastery of Einsiedeln, he joined in 1974 the community in Graz and did a pastoral internship at the Salvator parish there, with a focus on preparation for confirmation and youth pastoral care. On 21 June 1975 he was ordained a priest in Dornbirn. Fr. Markus worked as a priest in the field of education in Graz and pastoral work in different parishes. Every-where he won the hearts of the people, especially the children. His open manner, with much cordiality and without fear of contact, made Fr. Markus a valued interlocutor, religious teacher and spiritual companion. Fr. Markus had an open ear and was very sensitive to people’s concerns, but also a critical fighter. A highlight of his life was the visit of Pope John Paul II to Gurk in 1988, whom he welcomed to the community as house superior. After a long period of suffering, Fr. Markus died on the morning of 19 August 2021 at Franziskus Nursing Home of Mistelbach.
