Rev. Fr. Bernard Geiger, O.F.M. Conv.

Fr. Bernard Geiger, a Conventual Franciscan priest, died on Monday, May 27, 2024, in Saint Mary’s Home, Little Sisters of the Poor (Chicago, IL). Fr. Bernard, the son of William and Eve Geiger, was born in McCook, Nebraska in 1931, one among eight siblings. Inspired with a vocation to religious life, he entered the Franciscan Order immediately following high school, and into a special ministry of the friars at the recently established “Marytown” (Kenosha, Wisconsin) – an apostolate of St. Bonaventure Province (Chicago) and response to St. Maximilian Kolbe’s desire to renew the Order by a return to a balance of work and Eucharistic Adoration, devotion to the Blessed Mother, and evangelization through media. Father Bernard’s organization and creative writing skills were put to good use as one of the contributors of the Immaculata Magazine a promotional periodical for the Militia of the Immaculata, quoting, St. Maximilian Kolbe, “To win souls for Christ through Mary.” Fr. Bernard was later ordained a priest in 1959 after studying in Rome where he also completed a Licentiate in Sacred Theology. Upon returning to the States, he served as Assistant Pastor at St. Anthony’s Parish in Rockford, Illinois, until his return to Marytown to serve as Guardian of the Friars and Editor (1972-1994) of the Immaculata Magazine. He was named “National Director of the Militia of the Immaculata” (1973-1985) before being assigned as Chaplain to the Felician Sisters’ Motherhouse (Chicago). In 1988, Fr. Bernard became one of two chaplains assisting at Catholic Familyland (Bloomingdale, Ohio). With declining health, Fr. Bernard returned to Marytown (Libertyville, IL) in 2020. By early 2024, as his health continued to decline, Fr. Bernard went to the Little Sisters of the Poor nursing facility in Chicago where on May 27, 2024, he died at the age of 92. He was found deceased, kneeling next to his bed in prayer. Visitation will be at the Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Libertyville, Illinois on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with a Franciscan Wake Service at 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held in the same location on the following day, at noon. Interment will take place on Friday, June 7, 2024, at Saint Hedwig Cemetery and Mausoleum, Dearborn Heights, MI. He is survived by younger brothers, Dr. Gerald Geiger, James Geiger, and Paul Geiger, in-laws, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Rev. Fr. Bernard Geiger, O.F.M. Conv.

September 26, 1931 - May 27, 2024