Fr. Maurus Hawickhorst OFM (86) of Santarem, Brazil, formerly of Teutopolis

Fr. Maurus Hawickhorst OFM died Sunday Nov. 12, 2017 at the friary of San Francisco in Santarem, Brazil, South America at the age of 86.

His wake was Sunday Nov. 12th in the chapel of the parish of the Blessed Sacrament in Santarem, where he had been the parish priest in past years. A Eucharistic celebration and funeral in the same church was held Monday, Nov. 13th, followed by his burial in the cemetery of St. John the Baptist. A Memorial Service will be held at 6:30 P.M. Saturday Dec. 2nd, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Teutopolis, Il. Donations may be made to Franciscan Missionary Union in St. Louis.

Fr. Maurus (Frank) was born July 10, 1931 in Teutopolis, Il the son of Albert and Mary Hawickhorst. He was ordained a Priest in June of 1958. In November of 1959 he left for the missions in the Amazon Valley of Brazil S. A.

The following is an announcement that went out on Sunday morning in the city of Santarem: Sister Death visits Fr. Mauro Hawickhorst 07/10/1931 – 11/12/2017 Dear Sisters, Brothers, and Friends Santarem---Para---Brazil Pax et Bonum! Father Mauro Hawickhorst died today at 4:30 AM in his room at the friary of San Francisco in Santarem, at the age of 86. North American by birth, he adopted the Amazon as his homeland 59 years ago, where he lived his mission as a Franciscan friar and priest of the Catholic Church. He worked in several places in the diocese of Santarem: Almeirim, Prainha, Monte Alegre, Lago Grande de Monte Alegre, Santarem,, Belterra, and also in Obidos and Itaituba. He was a man of strong temperament but docile and loved the young, especially children with Down Syndrome. One of the great initiatives of Fr. Mauro was to bring water to thousands of people in the outskirts of Santarem and Region of the Plateau, digging artesian wells together with a group of workers who were his inseparable companions. As a parish priest of the Churches he was a great caretaker of families, working with love in the preparation of the young engaged couples. His love and dedication to the sacrament of confession made Frei Mauro decide to place himself at the disposal of the diocese of Rome as confessor in the Basilica of St. John Lateran between the years of 1996-1999. He was Rector of the Seminary of Sao Pio X in Santarem for several years, and he commanded the maintenance work of all the land of that property. Suffering Alzheimer’s disease, his health was growing weaker every day. His passage to the Father was quiet and among his Franciscans brothers who took turns to care for him in his last hours. Rest in peace, Friar Mauro. Pray for us from God whom you have served with fidelity and vigor! Frei Francisco de Assis Paixao OFM Ministro da Custodia Sao Benedito da Amazonia.

Fr Maurus is survived by his 6 siblings, Jerry (Norma) Hawickhorst of Columbia, Il, Marie Schmidt of Effingham, Il, Ben (Sandy) Hawickhorst of Des Peres, Mo. Rose Ann (Ron) Croak of St. Louis, Mo. Joan (Roger) Newenham of Dieterich, Il, Richard (Wendy) Hawickhorst of Teutopolis, Il; Numerous nieces and nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Becky Hawickhorst, and brother-in-law Paul Schmidt.