Submitted by: Dan Rich
Rev. Lawrence T. Bauer, CSC
Sept. 5, 1906 - March 1, 2004
Rev. Lawrence T. Bauer, CSC, died on Monday, March 1, in the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend, Ind. Father Bauer was 97. Father Bauer was born to the late John and Anna (Fronk) Bauer on the family farm near Defiance, Ohio, on Sept. 5, 1906. The Bauer family moved to Manchester, Mich., where Father Bauer attended public grade school and high school in Brookline, attending religious instruction classes at St. Mary's Mission.
He entered the Holy Cross Novitiate at Notre Dame on July 1, 1926, and made his first profession on July 2, 1927. He then moved next door to Moreau Seminary and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1931. He began theological studies in Washington, D.C., at Holy Cross College that fall. On June 24, 1935, Father Bauer was ordained a priest. From 1935 until 1967, Father Bauer worked in the foreign missions of East Bengal, India, now Bangladesh. He held a variety of positions in many posts. He was well-known for his kind and gentle presence. He was revered by the people because of his deep spiritual life and pious way of living. He also placed his life on the line for them. In three different villages he killed tigers that were preying upon their children and animals.
In 1967 Father Bauer worked at the Foreign Mission Society in Washington, D.C., helping the late Rev. Arnold Fell, CSC After one year he returned to Dhaka and remained in the mission field until 1975. For the next 19 years he worked in parishes in Texas: San Jose Parish in Austin and Holy Family Parish in Copperas Cove. In 1994 he moved to Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, and helped those with whom he lived until he needed help himself.
Father Bauer was one of 14 children, 11 of whom became religious priests, brothers or sisters. Father Bauer was the last surviving member of the "Bauer Boys": Bro. Christopher, Bro. Protaese, Bro. Edwin, along with his twin brother, Bro. Gervase, and Bro. Adrian, both of whom left the community. Five Bauer sisters became Sisters of Mercy of the Detroit Province.
Father Bauer is survived by a sister, Anne Bauer, who lives in Jackson, Mich., along with two sisters-in-law, Olivia Bauer from St. Mary, Ky., and Katie Bauer, who lives in Jackson, Mich. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be held for Father Bauer in the chapel of Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame, today, March 3, from 3:30 p.m. until 9 p.m., with a wake service at 7:30 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, on Thursday, March 4, at 3:30 p.m. The Kaniewski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.