Still very active in the church, not least in playing the organ

In a few days’ time, on Saturday 28 April, priest Walter Wiesli will be celebrating his 88th birthday. Despite this, he remains very involved in church matters and in playing the organ in particular.

Last Sunday a special musical service was held at the St John the Baptist church in Zug, as this year Wiesli celebrates the 60^th anniversary of his being ordained a priest.

Growing up as one of nine children in Weinfelden in the canton of Thurgovia, Wiesli always wanted to be a priest, perhaps the fact that the church was only 30 metres away from his house was a factor in this. Indeed, there was even an altar in the family home. And it will not be surprising that he became senior server at the church there.

As a teenager, Wiesli attended the Gymnasium in Immensee in the canton of Schwyz (second photograph). While he showed interest in chemistry, electronics and technology, his great passion was playing the piano and the organ.

It was after doing his military service that Wiesli went onto train as a priest at the seminar in Schöneck/Beckenried in the canton of Nidwalden, finally qualifying in1958 and going on to join the Missionary Society of Bethlehem at grand premises in Immensee, where he lives to this day.

What was particularly good for the young priest was that, as a result of his musical talent, he was allowed to go to Rome to study liturgics, (the rituals of the Catholic church) and associated music. While some advised him against embarking in this path, he stuck to it and has no regrets, going on to teach music and providing pastoral care for 38 years at the school he attended himself. For 25 of these years he also taught church music at theological colleges in Lucerne and Chur, where he also taught liturgics. During this time, he was also very much involved with the introduction of the Catholic Hymn Book for use in Switzerland. Over the years he has overseen eight new editions and hopes to continue his involvement until 2023 at least to oversee any possible changes to the hymn texts. At present a search is on to find a successor for the leading role he plays in it, though this is not easy. In recognition of his contribution in this field, Wiesli was subsequently awarded an honorary doctorate in theology by the University of Lucerne.

In addition to teaching at liturgical seminars in Einsiedeln, in his time Weisli also taught at such in Zimbabwe and Taiwan. Had he never thought of taking on missionary work in such countries? “It definitely interested me, but the difference in musical tastes there was too great,” he confessed. Indeed, he still plays the organ at the mission house in Immensee every day, and this is much appreciated by other residents.

What may be surprising is that Weisli also enjoys dancing and has led dance services and meditative dance evenings in Rotkreuz. For the past 15 years he has also been reading mass at the St Johannes parish in Zug and at the Herti old people’s home. As to how he keeps fit, he puts this down to walking; indeed, anyone who notices his brisk gait would never believe he was nearly 88.

Looking back over his life, Wiesli said how grateful he has been to have enjoyed good health and looks to the future of the church with great confidence.