Joseph Mohr | |
|---|---|
 Mohr as a young priest | |
| Born | Joseph Hermann Mohr (1834-01-10)10 January 1834 |
| Died | 7 February 1892(1892-02-07) (aged 58) |
| Occupations |
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| Organizations | Society of Jesus |
Joseph Hermann Mohr (10 January 1834 – 7 February 1892) was a German Catholic priest, aJesuit, hymn writer, and hymnologist. He was a member of theSociety of Jesus. When all its institutions were closed due to theJesuits Law of 1872, he left Germany. He returned in 1882 and worked as a hymnologist.
Mohr published several hymnals, promoting the return ofGregorian chant in Latin to the church liturgy, but writing German hymns intended for events beyondmass, such as processions. He is known for his hymn "Ein Haus voll Glorie schauet" which follows models of military marches. It appears in modern hymnals, however with modified text.
Mohr was born inSiegburg, where his father was a teacher at the elementary school.[1][2] He studied philosophy and theology at theBonn University from 1852. In 1853, he became a member of theSociety of Jesus inMünster.[3] After the completion of his studies, he taught at the order'scollege inFeldkirch until 1862.[4] From 1863, he studied rhetoric inMunich and theology inMaria Laach. He was consecrated as a priest in 1866.[3][1]
The Jesuits were restricted during theKulturkampf by theJesuits Law of 1872.[5] As all Jesuit institutions in Germany were dissolved, Mohr left Germany for Jesuit societies in France and Belgium.[4] During this time, he wrote text and melody of his hymn "Ein Haus voll Glorie schauet".[5] In his hometown, tradition has it that he was inspired by the Abbey on top of a mountain, overlooking the region. Its melody, especially its rhythm, is influenced by military marches.[6] His best-known hymn, it is part of modern hymnals, but only the first of his sevenstanzas was included in the Catholic hymnalGotteslob of 1975, with four new stanzas byHans W. Marx.[6]
Mohr considered the "Schönheit des Gregorianischen Chorals" (beauty ofGregorian chant as the appropriate music for the celebration ofmass. He joined an association for its studies, theVerein zur Erforschung alter Choralhandschriften behufs Wiederherstellung des cantus S. Gregorii of the music director at theTrier Cathedral,Michael Hermesdorff [de]. The association fostered the restoration of Gregorian singing in Germany, with members such asRobert Eitner,François-Auguste Gevaert, andJoseph Pothier.[7] Mohr recommended congregational singing for other church events, such as meditation (Andacht) and processions, and wrote a handbook to improve the quality of singing.[8] He composed the melody of "Maria, breit den Mantel aus" which is preferred in the Rhineland, a new melody ofChristoph Bernhard Verspoell's "Dir jubeln Engelchöre", and a new melody ofJohann Georg Franz Braun [de]'s "Heilig bist du, großer Gott", which appear in the Catholic hymnal.[6]
As the Jesuits Law was still in effect, he left the Society of Jesus in order to return to Germany in 1882.[5] He worked as a hymnologist inCologne,Regensburg, and finally inMunich until his death.[1] The Josef-Mohr-Straße in Siegburg was named for him.[9]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Joseph Otten (1911). "Joseph Mohr". In Herbermann, Charles (ed.).Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 10. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
