Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rev. Bernard E. Ransing, C.S.C.

Oct. 3, 1908 - May 7, 2001

South Bend Tribune 5/9/2001

The Reverend Bernard E. Ransing, C.S.C., 92, died at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Ind., at 7:45 a.m. Monday, May 7, 2001. He had been in failing health for several years.

Father Ran-sing was born Oct. 3, 1908, to Henry E. and Ann C. (Hansen) Ransing in Lancaster, Pa. He attended St. Anthony's Parochial School in Lancaster for his grade school education and then entered Holy Cross Seminary at Notre Dame as a freshmen in 1922. He entered St. Joseph Novitiate at Notre Dame on July 1, 1926, and made his first profession a year later. His perpetual profession was made on July 2, 1930, in the Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame. After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 1931, he attended the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome earning licentiates in philosophy in 1932, in sacred theology in 1936, and in church history in 1938.

Father Ransing was ordained to the priesthood in Rome on Dec. 21, 1935. He began teaching church history and liturgy in 1939 at Holy Cross College in Washington, D.C., and became superior there in 1945. In 1952 he moved to New York to serve as secretary to the General Administration and moved to Rome when the headquarters of the General Administration were moved there in 1954, serving as assistant general until 1962.

In 1954 he also began 26 years of continuous service to the Holy See in the Sacred Congregation for Religious until his retirement in 1980. Many congregations of religious women in the United States and around the world knew Father Ransing from his service in the Vatican. Throughout these years he resided at the Generalate, providing companionship to those who served in the General Administration, and hospitality and warm welcome to the many people who visited in Rome. He was in charge of almsgiving for the General Administration.

Upon his retirement from service in the Vatican Father Ransing returned in 1981 to the University of Notre Dame to live with the local Holy Cross community at Corby Hall and to assist in various roles. He was assistant superior from 1985-1991. He faithfully assisted at the Faith, Hope and Charity Chapel in downtown South Bend, and at several area parishes.

In 1995 failing health required him to move to Holy Cross House. Father Ransing was always a priest of deep faith and dedicated service to God. He was always a gentle, kind and prayerful man, a religious and a priest to his core. He was a "gentleman priest."

Father Ransing is survived by a brother, Joseph Ransing of Lancaster; by three nieces, Josephine Ransing Rice and Ann M. Lowell of Lancaster, and Geraldine Lowell Offernbacher of Washington, D.C.; and by three nephews, Bernard E. Lowell, Gerard Ransing and Stephen Ransing, all of Lancaster.

A wake service will be held at 7:30 p.m. today, May 9, in Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame. Visitation in the seminary chapel will begin at 3:30 p.m. today.

The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 10, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame. Burial will follow at the Community Cemetery, Notre Dame.

The Kaniewski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.