New abbot

Father Ludwig Ziegerer is the new abbot of the Benedictine monastery Mariastein
18.06.2025

Chaired by the President of the Swiss Benedictine Congregation, Abbot Vigeli Monn from Disentis, the monks of the Benedictine monastery of Mariastein SO, who are entitled to vote, today elected Father Ludwig Rudolf Ziegerer as Abbot of their monastery for a term of office of six years. Abbot Ludwig takes office immediately.

Abbot Ludwig, born in Maienfeld in 1956, graduated from the teacher training college in Chur and worked as a teacher in Graubünden for eight years. In 1985, he joined the Benedictine monastery in Mariastein. He completed his theological studies in Chur and Jerusalem with a licentiate. He was ordained a priest in 1992. Since then, he has taken on various roles within the monastic community, including prior (deputy to the abbot), novice master and leader of the pilgrimage. Outside the monastery, Abbot Ludwig worked as a teacher of religion, as a pastor in the Solothurn Leimental pastoral area and on various church and diocesan committees.

Inspired by the ideas of Viktor E. Frankl, he completed a training programme in logotherapy in 2013.

Abbot Peter von Sury, the previous head of the monastery, resigned from office on 23 January 2025 at the age of 75. During the transitional period, Father Ludwig Ziegerer took over as monastery administrator until today’s decision.

With the canonical election and the profession of faith, the election of Abbot Ludwig is finalised under canon law. The statutes of the Swiss Benedictine Congregation stipulate that the new abbot must receive Benediction from the diocesan bishop within three months of confirmation by the President. Bishop Felix Gmür will perform this on Saturday, 20 September 2025, at 9.30 a.m. in the Basilica of Mariastein.

The Mariastein community currently has 12 monks.

Press contact
Mariano Tschuor +41 79 756 63 00
mariano.tschuor@kloster-mariastein.ch

Mariastein, Juni 18th 2025

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