STOLZ, ALBAN. — Writer and educator, born on 3 February 1808 at Bühl (Baden), died at Freiburg im Br. on 16 October 1883. After his secondary education at Rastatt, he attended a “provisional” course in theology at Freiburg im Br.; shaken in his faith by the rationalistic environment, he studied philosophy and pedagogy at Heidelberg. Restored to full faith, he was ordained a priest (1833) and became a most zealous pastor. After a brief period of teaching at the Higher School of Bruchsal (1841–43), he moved to the theological seminary and in 1847 to the University of Freiburg im Br. as professor of pastoral theology, which he taught until his death.
More than as a theologian, he distinguished himself through his talent as an effective and penetrating religious writer. His Kalender für Zeit und Ewigkeit (from 1843 to 1883) enjoyed immense circulation, as did his Lebensbeschreibungen of saints, such as Elisabeth (1865), Germana, Vincent de Paul, and his great Heiligenlegende (1851–60). S. embodied his thoughts and experiences as an educator in his minor pastoral writings (Standeseltsorge) and in the treatise Erziehungskunst (1873). His “prayer book,” Der Mensch und sein Engel (1868), was also very well known. He was resolute and cutting in his polemical writings against the representatives in Germany of liberalism, rationalism, “Deutschkatholizismus” (Ronge), Old Catholicism, and Freemasonry. His travel descriptions (Besuch bei Sem, Cham und Japhet, 1857; Spanisches für die gebildete Welt, 1853; etc.) represent the pilgrimages of one seeking God. S. served as a spiritual guide by correspondence to quite a few people uncertain about converting (Fügung und Führung, 3 vols., edited by J. Mayer). His correspondence (Briefwechsel, 7 vols., edited by A. Stockmann, 1923), especially that with the Ringseis sisters, and his diaries (Tagebücher): Witterungen der Seele (1867), Wilder Honig (1870), Dürre Kräuter (1877), Lichte Höhen (edited by J. Mayer, 1922), Nachtgebet meines Lebens (edited by J. Schmitt, 1885), Phantasmata (edited by F. Hülhof, V. op. cit. in bibl., 1931), allow one to look into the depths of his rich inner life. His Predigten (edited by J. Mayer, 1908, and J. Ries, 1910–12) generally attain the vigor of his writings.