GIHR, NIKOLAUS. - Theologian and liturgist, b. at Aufingen (Baden) on 5 Dec. 1839, d. at St. Peter im Schwarzwald on 25 June 1924. He pursued his theological studies in Rome at the Collegio Germanico and at the Gregorian University, where he obtained his doctorate in theology in 1862. From 1872 his life unfolded in the Seminary of St. Peter im Schwarzwald (archdiocese of Freiburg im Breisgau), where he successively held the offices of spiritual director, repetitor, and, from 1888 until his death, vice-rector.
Endowed with a vast theological, liturgical and ascetical knowledge, which he knew how to communicate in a clear and lively manner, G. was a much appreciated teacher of various generations of young priests. The same gifts shine also in his writings, which represent a highly successful effort to make the treasures of theological science and of the liturgy fruitful for the purposes of the spiritual life and of pastoral care. His writings are well known and widely circulated: Das heilige Metropfer, dogmatisch, liturgisch und aszetisch erklärt (1st ed., Freiburg im Breisgau 1877; 19th ed. ibid. 1922; French version, 2 vols., Paris 1900); Die Sequenzen des römischen Messbuches, dogmatisch u. aszetisch erklärt (ibid. 1887); Die heiligen Sakramente (ibid. 1897, 3rd ed. 1918-28, French version, 4 vols., Paris 1901-1904).