Overberg, Bernhard Heinrich

OVERBERG, BERNHARD HEINRICH. - Catholic pedagogue and catechist, b. near Voltlage (Westphalia) on 1 May 1754, d. at Münster on 9 Nov. 1826. He pursued philosophical and theological studies at Münster, was ordained a priest in 1779, and then became a curate in Everswinkel.

The vicar general Franz von Fürstenberg, director general of the schools of the principality, in 1782 summoned O. to direct the institute for the training of elementary-school teachers that he had established. O. was its organizer and its soul, exerting a great influence on the reorganization of elementary and catechetical instruction throughout the territory. Foreseeing the persecutions against the teaching religious orders, he also greatly increased the training of lay female teaching personnel, inspired by apostolic principles. He played a very notable part in the drafting of the excellent school constitution issued for the Principality of Münster in 1801. From 1806, as rector of the Seminary of Münster, he concerned himself with the moral formation of the clergy, continuing to exert his influence in the educational sphere even under the new regimes.

For the teaching of the catechism O. is still of fundamental importance on account of the wise norms he provided, the fruit of study and direct experience.

Principal works: Anweisung zum zweckmässigen Schulunterricht für die Schullehrer im Hochstift Münster (Münster 1793), which went through 6 editions during the author's lifetime; Biblische Geschichte des Alten und Neuen Testaments zur Belehrung und Ergänzung besonders für Lehrer, grössere Schüler und Hausväter (ibid. 1799); Christakatholisches Religionshandbuch, um sich und andere zu belehren (ibid. 1804); Katechismus der christakatholischen Lehre (ibid. 1804). They are included in Sämtliche Schriften für Schulen (6 vols., ibid. 1861-1868). A selection of writings by O. is in J. L. L. Gressler, Klassiker der Pädagogik, 1904.

Igino Rogger