GIHR, NIKOLAUS. - Theologian and liturgist, b. at Auffngen (Baden) on 5 Dec. 1839, d. at St Peter im Schwarzwald on 25 June 1924. He pursued his theological studies in Rome at the German College and the Gregorian University, where he took his doctorate in theology in 1862. From 1872 onwards his life was spent at the Seminary of St Peter im Schwarzwald (archdiocese of Freiburg in Br.), where he successively held the offices of spiritual director, lecturer, and, from 1888 until his death, vice-rector.
Endowed with a wide theological, liturgical and ascetical knowledge, which he knew how to communicate in a clear and lively manner, G. was a highly esteemed master of several generations of young priests. The same qualities shine forth in his writings, which represent a successful effort to bring out the riches of theological science and liturgy for the purposes of spiritual life and pastoral ministry. Notable and widely circulated are his works: *Das heilige Messopfer, dogmatisch, liturgisch und aszestisch erklärt* (1st ed., Freiburg in Br. 1877; 19th ed. ibid. 1922; French trans., 2 vols., Paris 1900); *Die Sequenzen des römischen Messbuches, dogmatisch u. aszestisch erklärt* (ibid. 1887); *Die heiligen Sakramente* (ibid. 1897, 3rd ed. 1918-28, French trans., 4 vols., Paris 1901-1904).