Prälat Dr. Erwin Hesse

Erwin Hesse was born in Vienna-Mariahilf, the son of Edmund, a clerk, and his wife Josefa, née Rösl. After graduating from high school, he studied in Vienna, Münster and Berlin and was ordained a priest in 1931. He then worked as a chaplain in Wolkersdorf and Großjedlersdorf and became involved in Jungösterreich and later in Bund Neuland. From 1935, he taught at the Federal Educational Institution in Traiskirchen [today: refugee home].

In these roles, he experienced the occupation of Austria by the Third Reich in March 1938. On March 31, 1938, he was relieved of his role as a religion teacher by the new rulers.

In autumn 1938, he was appointed university chaplain for the Archdiocese of Vienna and chaplain in Wiener Neudorf, but was arrested by the Gestapo on November 11, 1939. After his release on December 17, 1939, he was banned from the Gau and exiled to Brno, where he was appointed reserve hospital chaplain. He also became rector for Germans at the Church of the Brothers of Mercy in Vienna. Despite this, he was still able to gain a doctorate in theology at the University of Vienna in October 1941.

In 1945, he was particularly active in caring for the displaced persons during the "Brno Death March". After arriving in Vienna, he became chaplain in St. Peter's and pastor to refugees in the Archdiocese of Vienna. From 1946 to 1979 he was parish priest in St. Rochus in Vienna. He is awarded the title "Prelate".