Father Gregor Gasser: The Spiritual Heart of Nalles

In the small yet charming village of Nalles, at the gateway to Merano, was born one of South Tyrol’s most charismatic and cultured figures: Father Gregor Gasser, a man of faith and intellect who left a profound mark on the society of his time.

Born on October 5, 1868, Gasser showed from an early age a great love for knowledge and compassion for others. After studying at the Franciscan High School in Bolzano, he continued his journey in Rome, where he joined the newly founded order of the Salvatorian Fathers. At the Pontifical Gregorian University, he studied alongside Eugenio Pacelli, the future Pope Pius XII.

In 1895, after earning his doctorate in theology and being ordained in the majestic Basilica of St. John Lateran, he took the religious name Father Gregor and devoted himself passionately to teaching, preaching, and writing religious texts. At only 27 years old, he was appointed rector of the order’s Motherhouse in Rome.

Vienna, music, and social commitment

The most significant period of his ministry came in 1901, when he was transferred to Vienna—then the vibrant heart of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and home to artists, thinkers, and musicians. There, Father Gregor Gasser stood out as a brilliant preacher, a caring spiritual guide, and above all a defender of young people and the working class.

He was a pioneer of progressive ideas, an advocate for dialogue between social classes, and a promoter of peaceful coexistence among people from different backgrounds. He founded workers’ associations, offered support to the unemployed, and fought for dignity and rights at a time when few dared to do so.

Return to South Tyrol and remembrance

In 1912, struck by a serious illness, he was forced to leave the city and moved to Merano for treatment, known for its thermal waters. There, among the mountains of his homeland, he passed away on May 27, 1913, at just 44 years of age.

His hometown never forgot him. The municipality of Nalles paid tribute to this extraordinary figure—a symbol of social and spiritual commitment—by dedicating a street in his name and keeping his memory alive in local schools and community celebrations.