William Edward Hartgen, Jr., P.S.S.
August 12, 2024
September 26, 1934
William Edward Hartgen was born in Washington, DC, on September 26, 1934, to William Edward Hartgen, Sr., and Helen Louise (nee Hatch) Hartgen. Fr. Hartgen was one of five children. His two brothers are deceased, and he is survived by his two sisters, Ann and Edith.
Fr. Hartgen earned his BA from Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland, in 1957 and completed his theological studies there in 1961. As a layman, he worked in the office of Senator Thomas Kuchel from 1961 to 1965. He then went on to earn the MA in religious studies from The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, in 1967.
As a layman, he worked in various capacities in church-related programs. From 1967 to 1968, he was on the faculty of St. Paul’s Seminary High School in Baltimore where he taught religion and was the director of the liturgy program. From 1968 to 1971, he served St. Mark’s Church in Vienna, Virginia, as director of religious education and director of liturgy. From 1971 to 1972, he was the co- director of the office of religious education and liturgy for the Diocese of Richmond. From 1972 to 1974, he was self-employed as a consultant to parishes and to the North American Liturgy Resources in Phoenix, Arizona. During this period, he also worked as the editor of newsletters for religious education and liturgy in the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia, and wrote a regular column for the National Liturgical Conference.
Fr. Hartgen joined the faculty of St. Mary’s Seminary & University as a layman in 1974. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Maryland on April 30, 1976, and continued on the faculty at St. Mary’s until 1978, serving as director of recruitment for the seminary, and worked in the pastoral department at St. Mary’s and taught in the pastoral department at The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC. From 1978 to 1980 he was the editorial consultant at the corporate center for Pastoral Arts Associates of North America in Phoenix, Arizona.
In 1980, he returned to Washington, DC, to do his formation year for the Society of St. Sulpice at Theological College. He was admitted to the Society in 1982 and remained on the faculty at Theological College until 1986. During that time, he was the director of the Basselin program, coordinator of the liturgy, and an instructor in the pastoral program of The Catholic University of America. From 1986 to 1988 he served as a consultant to Cooperative Ministries, Inc. in Washington, DC, and then became its managing director from 1989 to 1997, when he retired with residence in his home on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
Throughout these years until retirement, Fr. Hartgen gained a national reputation in the field of liturgy and worked closely with his colleague, Fr. Eugene Walsh, PSS, who was also widely known for his contributions to the liturgical renewal going on in the church in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. He had earned a reputation as a music minister, religious educator, and liturgist. Fr. Hartgen published several books, articles, and tapes in the fields of liturgy, religious education, and parish ministry.
During his years of retirement, Fr. Hartgen suffered various physical ailments and underwent multiple surgeries. He remained marginal to the Society, unable to participate in community gatherings, though always interested in what was happening in the community and in each of our Sulpician houses. He primarily kept in touch through the Director of Personnel and the Provincial.
As his health worsened, Fr. Hartgen required more care, though he resisted going to a nursing home. He was watched over tenderly by Mr. Maynard Manzano, his personal representative, and a group of friends. Ultimately he got his wish to die at his home on Capitol Hill, which occurred peacefully on August 12, 2024. He had previously decided to donate his body to science and thus requested a memorial service rather than a funeral, to be held at St. Joseph’s Church on Capitol Hill in Washington, which he considered his “home” parish. Fr. Richard M. Gula, PSS, presided and preached the homily for the Mass of the Resurrection on September 7, 2024, at St. Joseph’s, representing the Society and the Provincial, Fr. Daniel F. Moore, PSS, who will be out of town. Burial of Fr. Hartgen’s remains will take place at a future date at the family plot in Gethsemane Cemetery in Reading, Pennsylvania. May he rest in peace!
Ronald D. Witherup, PSS