Georg Ratzinger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Reverend Monsignor Georg Ratzinger PA |
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Monsignor Ratzinger in 2019
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| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 29 June 1951 |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Georg Ratzinger |
| Born | 15 January 1924 Pleiskirchen, Bavaria, Germany |
| Died | 1 July 2020 (aged 96) Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany |
| Nationality | German |
| Denomination | Catholic (Latin Church) |
| Parents | Joseph Ratzinger Sr. Maria Peintner |
| Signature |  |
Georg Ratzinger (15 January 1924 – 1 July 2020) was a German Catholic priest and talented musician. He was best known for leading the famous Regensburger Domspatzen choir. This choir sings at the cathedral in Regensburg, Germany.
Georg Ratzinger was also the older brother of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. His grand-uncle, who had the same name, was a German politician.
Contents
Early Life and War Service
Georg Ratzinger was born in Pleiskirchen, a town in Bavaria, Germany. His father, Joseph Ratzinger Sr., was a police officer. His mother was Maria Ratzinger.
Georg had a younger brother, Joseph, who later became Pope Benedict XVI. He also had an older sister named Maria.
From a young age, Georg showed a great talent for music. He started playing the church organ when he was just 11 years old. In 1935, he joined a special school for priests in Traunstein. There, he also received professional music lessons.
During World War II, Georg was called to serve in the German army in 1942. He was injured in Italy in 1944. After the war ended, he was briefly a prisoner of war of the U.S. Army. He was released in July 1945 and returned home.
Becoming a Priest and Musician
In January 1946, Georg and his brother Joseph began studying to become priests. They attended the seminary in Munich. At the same time, Georg continued his music studies.
Both brothers were ordained as priests on 29 June 1951. Cardinal Michael von Faulhaber led the ceremony. After becoming a priest, Georg studied Church music in Munich. He also served in various priestly roles for his diocese.
Leading the Regensburger Domspatzen Choir
Georg Ratzinger finished his studies in 1957. He then became the chorus director at his home church in Traunstein.
In February 1964, he was chosen to be the musical director at Regensburg Cathedral. This made him the leader of the famous Regensburger Domspatzen cathedral choir. He held this important position for many years.
Under his direction, the Domspatzen choir became very well known.
- In 1977, Ratzinger led the choir when his brother Joseph became an Archbishop.
- They sang for Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Germany in 1978.
- The choir also performed for Pope John Paul II when he visited Munich in 1980.
- In 1982, they gave a concert for world leaders at a NATO summit.
Later, in 2010, Georg Ratzinger offered to help with investigations into past issues at the Regensburger Domspatzen choir.
Later Life and Passing
Georg Ratzinger retired from leading the choir in 1994. He was made a canon in Regensburg in 2009.
In 2005, while visiting his brother in Rome, he had some heart problems. He was briefly admitted to a hospital.
On 29 June 2011, Georg Ratzinger celebrated 60 years as a priest. He shared that his brother Joseph was one of the youngest priests ordained that day. He also mentioned that he still had the stole and cassock from his ordination.
In 2014, he celebrated his 90th birthday with Benedict XVI at the Vatican. Many guests attended, including journalists and religious figures.
Illness and Death
On 18 June 2020, Georg Ratzinger became very ill. His brother, Benedict XVI, visited him in Regensburg. Georg Ratzinger passed away two weeks later, on 1 July 2020, at the age of 96.
Awards and Honours
Georg Ratzinger received many awards for his service and musical talent:
- Black Wound Badge (1944)
- Iron Cross 2nd Class (1944)
- Bavarian Order of Merit (1983)
- Protonotary apostolic (1993)
- Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class (2004)
- Honorary citizen of Castel Gandolfo (2008)
- Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2009)
- Award of the Fondazione Pro Musica e Arte Sacra (2010)
See also
In Spanish: Georg Ratzinger para niños
