Inspiration

Wilhelm was born on September 12, 1870, in Schoetz, a village in Canton Luzern of Switzerland to mother Pauline and the father Albert Meyer. He inherited the spirit of enterprise and creative urge for adventurous achievements from his father and the warm- hearted disposition from his mother. It was the dream of the young boy to be an architect, which he fulfilled although in a manner completely different from what he had anticipated. Without a ‘building apprenticeship’ he became a ‘builder’, but a ‘spiritual builder’. The words of his parish priest Fr. Roos, ‘You should become a priest’, decided his future. These words cast a spell over him, made a deep impression and stirred the unknown in him. It was Wilhelm’s hour of calling. He was ordained a priest on 18th July 1897, after completing his studies in the Benedictine Abbey of Einsiedeln, in the seminary of Luzern and at the University of Fribourg. He was appointed as a curate in Hitzkirch; and thus became associated with the poor and the suffering. His sympathy and understanding for the inmates of the old- age home urged him to direct his future work. He was an efficient teacher, a regular confessor, a versatile writer and a sought- after preacher. His compassionate heart sensed the need of a mother at child birth; the time when a helping hand was essential.