Maier, Rev. Lorenz

Father Lorenz Maier (1927-2007), the son of Franziska Maier and Lorenz Schwoelger, was born, and baptised, in Bavaria (Germany) on May 19, 1927. Maier was raised by his grandmother in the Catholic faith, and while he experienced the call to the priesthood at a young age, he rejected it, instead studying to be a banker in Germany.
After a business failure in Germany, Maier immigrated to Canada in the 1960s. In 1971 after moving around the country he settled in Tiverton, Ontario and started a market garden business. At first the business was very successful with minimal competition, however it was overshadowed by a large grocery store chain and eventually when bankrupt. Acknowledging the change in food production and purchase, Maier changed professions leaving sales for the trades and worked as a high pressure welder in Ontario on several nuclear power plants. When the plants were completed Maier moved to Fort McMurray working as welder in the oil industry for a few years. From Fort McMurray Maier made his way to Hinton where he worked on building the Way of Holiness Prayer Retreat Centre. At the center Maier once again felt the calling to become a priest and began to take courses at Newman Theological College towards a diploma in Theology.
In 1987 Maier entered St. Joseph Seminary and studied for three years. Maier was ordained to the Diaconate on Dec. 8, 1990 by Archbishop J.N. MacNeil. Maier completed his pastoral internship at St. Joseph Basilica Parish and at the age of 64 was ordained to the Priesthood on Oct. 17, 1991 at St. Joseph Basilica by Archbishop J.N. MacNeil. Maier joined the Parish Team at St. Joseph Basilica on Oct 18, 1991 (the day after his ordination) and served at the Basilica until July 11, 2001 when he took the position of pastor at St. Boniface Church in Edmonton.
Maier was a prolific writer in both German and English. He corresponded frequently with his family and friends overseas. His self-publications include poems, plays, and many spiritual writings including “An Etude for the Lord,” “A Symphony for the Lord,” and “I Sought God: A Testimony,” in which he summarizes his spiritual journey. Father Maier died on April 10, 2007 at the age of 79.