✝ MARIUS STAPFER SDS

18/01/2026 - Tafers

He was 96 years old and had been professed for 75 years.

Father Marius of the Pancratius Pfeiffer Mission Vicariate passed away on January 18, 2026. He served as a Salvatorian for 75 years, 70 of which were as a priest. Anton Stapfer was born on September 23, 1929, in Beinwil am See. He spent his youth here, together with three brothers and one sister. His path to religious life began in 1944 at the secondary school in Gottschalkenberg. He continued his studies at the Salvatorhaus in Fribourg, where he graduated from College St. Michel with a Matura degree. This was followed by recruit school. On December 8, 1949, he entered the Salvatorian novitiate at Gottschalkenberg. After two weeks, he went to Passau to continue his novitiate, where he joined the Society on December 8, 1950, with his first profession. He completed his studies in philosophy and theology at the University of Passau. On September 24, 1955, he was ordained a priest in Romanshorn by Bishop Franziskus von Streng.

His first assignment in 1957 was as a teacher and educator at the Drognens Institute, where he also participated in the move to Montet, Institut Marini. From 1965 to 1973, he was a teacher and bursar at the Salvatorkolleg Fribourg. From 1973 to 1975, he returned to Montet. From 1975 to 2021, he worked in Zug and held various important positions: house and mission bursar, and from 1988 also superior of the house. In May 2021, he moved to Fribourg. Here he was able to enjoy his twilight years in peace.

Fr. Marius performed all his duties very conscientiously. Much of it was not easy for him, but he accepted it in obedience. He was a faithful religious. The daily Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Rosary were the sources of strength in his life. May the Divine Savior, whom he served for 75 years in the Salvatorian Society, reward him for all his sacrificial service.