Bernhard Naber, friend and benefactor of Latvia, devoted his life to God and people

Last days of January brought sad news from Austria to Ludza – Bernhard Naber, Abbot of Altenburg Benedictine Monastery and a loyal friend of Latvia, passed away.

Bernhard Naber served in the position of abbot at Altenburg Monastery for 27 years. In our country, the abbot is known as a prominent benefactor and humanist.

In 1989, Bernhard Naber arrived in Latvia for the first time and immediately fell in love with this country and its people. “Latvia is a land loved by God,” – he used to say. Cooperation between Latvia and Altenburg Monastery and its parish strengthened with every year. Abbot Naber and members of his parish organized and financed a number of wagons and trucks with humanitarian aid for Latvia. Each year, Altenburg Monastery received Latvian pilgrims and choirs, organized experience exchange trips and trainings for teachers and catechists.

In 2000, abbot Bernhard Naber was awarded Order of a Three Stars (golden) for his unselfish help to Latvia.

Anastasija Sergejeva, ex-head of Education Administration of Ludza district, remembers:

Abbot Bernhard Naber was extremely sincere, responsive and helpful. A man with light in his heart, who glowed with peace, meekness and intelligence.

I met the Abbot in 1993, during the event organized by the Ministry of Education and Science, and invited him to visit Ludza district. During his visit to Ludza, Abbot Naber admitted: “Latgale differs from other regions of Latvia. People living here had to suffer more than others. Maybe that is why your mentality is somewhat different.”

Being and excellent humanist, Bernhard Naber organized charity events and supported special and general education schools of Ludza district, large families, talented children. Several pedagogues of our district had opportunity to visit Altenburg Monastery. Teachers attended Masses and participated in the seminars. Every night, there were informal conversations with Abbot Naber about the existence, human’s nature, about the ways to regain child’s trust… Until this day, I feel soulful kinship with this wonderful person. For many pedagogues, he became a real spiritual teacher.

In October 2012, Bernhard Naber visited Ludza for the last time.

Everyone who knew Abbot Naber can confirm that his love for Latvia and Latvian people was endless and true. Bernhard Naber was great admirer of Zenta Mauriņa’s works. On the desk of his office, a flag of Latvia and a candlestick made by Latgalian ceramists were placed. In the premises of his monastery, he allowed Latvian choirs and musicians to perform. Film director Aloizs Brenčs shot scenes of his film in Altenburg.

Abbot Naber visited special, catholic and boarding schools in all regions of Latvia; he also performed with readings and conducted Masses in several churches. While meeting bishops Jānis Bulis, Vilhelms Lapelis and Ārvaldis Brumanis, they discussed the situation in dioceses of Roman catholic churches of Latvia. Abbot Naber was sincerely admitted to Riga Ecclesiastical Seminar, Riga Higher Religious Science Institute, associations, prisons, crisis centres, and many other institutions.

Abbot did not sort people according to their titles and merit – everyone received his love and respect.

Prepared by

Svetlana Rimša,

public relations manager of Ludza Municipality

Photos from A. Sergejeva’s personal archive