The Saint Benedict Education Foundation announces the establishment of the Paul Augustin Cardinal Mayer, O.S.B., Chair in Sacramental Theology. Establishment of this scholarship will enable Sant’ Anselmo to hire a full-time professor in Sacramental Theology.
Cardinal Mayer was born on May 23, 1911 in Altotting, Germany. He entered the abbey of Saint Michael in Metten and in 1931 made his monastic profession. He studied Philosophy at the University of Salzburg, Austria and Theology in Rome at Sant- Anselmo. He was ordained on August 25, 1935 in Rome, and in 1937 he received his doctorate in theology. He was assigned to teach in 1939 at Sant- Anselmo. He was a member of the faculty there for 27 years, and served as Rector from 1949 to 1966. As rector he founded the Pontifical Liturgical Institute. During this time he was also consultor of the congregation for seminaries and universities (1950) and then apostolic visitator of seminaries in Switzerland (1957-1959). He also collaborated with the movement of Catholic university graduates, missionary associations and with various contemplative monasteries. He was nominated secretary of the preparatory commission of Second Vatican Council and of the council and post-council commission for Catholic schools and the formation of priests. In 1965, he was nominated ecclesiastical delegate for the Focolari Movement. In 1966 he was elcted Abbot of Saint Michael’s Abbey in Metten, Bavaria.
In 1971 Pope Paul VI named him secretary of the Congregation for Religious and Secular Institutes. On January 6, 1972 he was nominated titular archbishop of Satriano and received episcopal ordination from Pope Paul VI on February 13, 1972. From 1985 until 1988 he served as Prefect of the Congregation for Sacraments and Divine Worship. From 1988 to 1991 he was president of the Commission Ecclesia Dei. He was created Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in the Consistory of May 25, 1985. In 1991 he retired at the age of 80. In 1996, he was named the Cardinal Priest of Sant’ Anselmo. Donate to the Cardinal Mayer Scholarship Fund