dimanche 4 octobre 2020

Bienheureux FRANÇOIS-XAVIER SEELOS, prêtre de la Congrégation du Très Saint Rédempteur

 



Bienheureux François-Xavier Seelos

Prêtre de la Congrégation du Très Saint Rédempteur (+ 1867)

Venu de Bavière, il eut continuellement le souci des enfants, des jeunes gens, des migrants et de leurs besoins, il est mort à la Nouvelle-Orléans en Louisiane.

Béatifié le 9 avril 2000 - homélie de Jean-Paul II

"Sa disponibilité et son affabilité naturelle dans l'accueil et la compréhension des besoins des personnes ordinaires le firent tout de suite connaître comme un confesseur expérimenté et un guide spirituel... Les fidèles le décrivaient comme le missionnaire au sourire permanent et au cœur généreux, spécialement envers les gens dans le besoin et les marginaux."

À la Nouvelle-Orléans en Louisiane, en 1867, le bienheureux François-Xavier Seelos, prêtre de la Congrégation du Très Saint Rédempteur. Venu de Bavière, il eut continuellement le souci des enfants, des jeunes gens, des migrants et de leurs besoins.

Martyrologe romain

SOURCE : https://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/10489/Bienheureux-Francois-Xavier-Seelos.html

Bx Franz Xaver Seelos

Prêtre Rédemptoriste

François Xavier Seelos naît le 11 Janvier 1819 à Füssen, en Bavière (Allemagne). Il fut Baptisé le jour même dans l'église paroissiale de saint Mang.

Désirant être Prêtre dès son enfance, il entra au séminaire diocésain, en 1842, après ses études de philosophie.

Ayant connu les Missionnaires de la Congrégation du très Saint Rédempteur, fondée pour l'évangélisation des plus abandonnés, il décida d'en faire partie et d'exercer son Ministère auprès des immigrés de langue allemande présents aux États-Unis.

Reçu dans la Congrégation le 22 Novembre 1842, il partit l'année suivante du Havre, en France, pour rejoindre New York le 20 Avril 1843.

Son noviciat accompli et ses études théologiques achevées, il fut ordonné Prêtre le 22 Décembre 1844 dans l'église Rédemptoriste de Saint Jacques à Baltimore, dans le Maryland.

Après l'Ordination, il travailla pendant neuf ans dans la paroisse Sainte Philomène à Pittsburg, en Pennsylvanie, d'abord comme vicaire de Saint Jean Neumann, supérieur de la Communauté, et puis en qualité de supérieur et Curé pendant les trois dernières années. Il fut aussi en même temps maître des novices.

Il se consacra à la prédication Missionnaire avec Neumann. Sa disponibilité et son affabilité naturelle dans l'accueil et la compréhension des besoins des personnes le firent tout de suite connaître comme un Confesseur expérimenté et un guide spirituel, si bien que les gens venaient à lui même au-delà de la paroisse.

Les fidèles le décrivaient comme le Missionnaire au sourire permanent et au cœur généreux, spécialement envers les gens dans le besoin et les marginaux.

Fidèle au charisme Rédemptoriste, il s'exprimait toujours par un style de vie et un langage simples. Ses prédications, riches en contenu biblique, étaient toujours écoutées et comprises même par les personnes les plus ignorantes.

La catéchèse aux enfants fut une caractéristique constante de son apostolat. Ce fut une activité que non seulement il privilégia, mais qu'il pensait fondamentale pour la croissance Chrétienne de la communauté paroissiale.

En 1854, il fut transféré de Pittsburg à Baltimore, puis à Cumberland et à Annapolis, toujours engagé dans le Ministère paroissial et exerçant aussi la responsabilité de formateur comme préfet des étudiants Rédemptoristes.

Dans ce rôle aussi, il ne démentit pas les principales caractéristiques de pasteur affable et inocula chez les futurs Missionnaires Rédemptoristes l'enthousiasme, l'esprit de sacrifice et le zèle apostolique pour le bien spirituel et temporel du peuple.

En 1860, l’Évêque Michael O'Connor di Pittsburgh le proposa à sa succession. Mais ayant obtenu du Bienheureux Pie IX (Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti, 1846-1878) d'être dispensé d'une telle responsabilité, de 1863 à 1866, il s'adonna à temps plein à l'activité Missionnaire itinérante, prêchant en anglais et allemand dans les états du Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvanie, Rhode Island et Wisconsin.

Après une période d'activité paroissiale à Détroit au Michigan, il fut nommé, en 1866, à la communauté de New Orléans, en Louisiane.

Là aussi, comme curé de l'église de l'Assomption, il fut reconnu comme un pasteur toujours joyeusement disponible et singulièrement soucieux des plus pauvres et des abandonnés.

Mais dans les plans de Dieu son ministère à New Orléans devait être bref. Au mois de septembre, exténué par les visites aux malades de la fièvre jaune, il contracta lui aussi la maladie.

Après avoir supporté la maladie, pendant plusieurs semaines, avec patience et sérénité, il passa à la Vie éternelle le 04 Octobre 1867 à l'âge de 48 ans et 9 mois.

François Xavier Seelos a été Béatifie le 9 Avril 2000, sur la place Saint Pierre, par Saint Jean-Paul II (Karol Józef  Wojtyła, 1978-2005).

SOURCE : http://reflexionchretienne.e-monsite.com/pages/vie-des-saints/octobre/bienheureux-francois-xavier-seelos-pretre-de-la-congregation-du-tres-saint-redempteur-fete-le-04-octobre.html


Le Bienheureux Francis-Xavier Seelos

Francis-Xavier Seelos naquit le 11 janvier 1819 à Füssen en Bavière, Allemagne. Il fut baptisé le même jour à l'église paroissiale de Saint Mang. Il entretint le désir de devenir prêtre dès son enfance. Il entra au Séminaire diocésain après avoir terminé ses études de philosophie.

Peu de temps après, il rencontra des missionnaires de la Congrégation du Très-Saint-Rédempteur. Comme ils avaient été fondés dans le but d'évangéliser les plus abandonnés, il prit la décision de se joindre à cette Congrégation et d'orienter son ministère auprès des immigrants de langue allemande aux États-Unis. Il fut accepté dans la Congrégation le 22 novembre 1842 et, l'année suivante, partant du Havre, France, il arriva à New York le 20 avril 1843.
 
Après avoir terminé son noviciat et ses études théologiques, il fut ordonné prêtre le 22 décembre 1844 dans l'église rédemptoriste de St. James à Baltimore, Maryland, U. S. A. Après son ordination, il travailla pendant neuf ans à la paroisse de St. Philomène à Pittsburgh, Pennsylvanie. Il agit comme premier assistant de saint Jean Neumann, supérieur de la communauté religieuse. Plus tard, il devint lui-même supérieur et les trois dernières années, curé de la paroisse. En même temps, il fut Maître des novices. Avec Neumann, il s'adonna aussi à la prédication des missions. Seelos a dit de sa relation avec Neumann: "C'est lui qui m'a initié à la vie active" et "il fut mon guide comme directeur spirituel et confesseur". Sa disponibilité et sa bonté naturelle lui permettaient de comprendre les besoins des fidèles et d'y répondre. C'est ainsi qu'il fut connu très tôt comme un confesseur et directeur spirituel extraordinaire. Les gens venaient le rencontrer même des villes avoisinantes.
 
Sa fidélité au charisme rédemptoriste l'incita à avoir un style de vie simple et à s'exprimer de la même façon. Les thèmes de sa prédication, riches en contenu biblique, étaient toujours compris par les gens les plus simples parmi le peuple. Dans son travail apostolique, il s'est toujours efforcé d'initier à la foi les petits enfants. Non seulement favorisait-il ce ministère, il le considérait même comme le fondement de la croissance de la communauté chrétienne dans la paroisse. En 1854, on l'envoya de Pittsburgh à Baltimore, puis à Cumberland en 1857 et à Annapolis en 1862. Pendant ce temps, il travailla au ministère paroissial tout en s'occupant, comme Préfet des étudiants, de la formation des futurs Rédemptoristes. Au cours de ces occupations, il resta conforme à son caractère: le bon et joyeux pasteur. Envers ses étudiants, c'est avec prudence qu'il se faisait attentif à leurs besoins tout en étant conscient de leur formation doctrinale. Il s'efforçait surtout d'inculquer à ces futurs missionnaires rédemptoristes l'enthousiasme, l'esprit de sacrifice et le zèle apostolique nécessaire au bien spirituel et temporel des gens.
 
En 1860, son nom fut proposé comme candidat au poste d'évêque de Pittsburgh. Le Pape Pie IX accepta ses excuses à l'égard de cette fonction. De 1863 à 1866, il s'adonna comme missionnaire itinérant en anglais et en allemand dans les États suivants: le Connecticut, l'Illinois, le Michigan, le Missouri, le New Jersey, l'État de New York, de l'Ohio, de la Pennsylvanie, du Rhode Island et du Wisconsin.
 
A la suite d'un bref séjour à la paroisse de Détroit, État du Michigan, il fut nommé à la communauté rédemptoriste de la Nouvelle Orléans en Louisiane. Là, encore, il fut curé de la paroisse Sainte-Marie de l'Assomption. On reconnu vite le pasteur joyeux, disponible à l'égard de tous ses paroissiens, surtout les plus pauvres et les plus abandonnés. Au mois de septembre, épuisé par les visites et les soins qu'il donnait aux victimes de la fièvre jaune, il contracta lui-même cette maladie redoutable. Il endura cette maladie avec patience pendant plusieurs semaines; il en mourut le 4 octobre 1867 à l'âge de 48 ans et neuf mois.
 
Le Père Seelos fut proclamé bienheureux à la Place St-Pierre par Sa Sainteté le Pape Jean-Paul II le 9 avril de l'Année du Jubilée Solennel 2000.

SOURCE : https://www.stclemens.org/FRAHZSeelos

FRANZ-XAVIER SEELOS

Prêtre Rédemptoriste, Bienheureux

(1819-1867)

Franz-Xavier Seelos naquit le 11 janvier 1819, à Füssen, petite ville de Bavière, en Allemagne. Ses parents, Mang Seelos et franziska Schwarzenbach eurent douze enfants, et Franz-Xavier était l'aîné. Il fit ses études secondaires à l'Institut de saint Stephen à Augsbourg, puis, en 1839, il alla à l'université de Munich pour compléter ses études de philosophie. Comme depuis son enfance il désirait être prêtre, Franz-Xavier entra au séminaire diocésain le 19 septembre 1842. C'est alors qu'il rencontra les Missionnaires de la Congrégation du Très-Saint-Rédempteur, les Rédemptoristes.

Les Rédemptoristes ont pour mission essentielle l'évangélisation des plus abandonnés. Franz-Xavier décida de se joindre à cette congrégation et d'orienter son ministère vers les immigrants de langue allemande aux États-Unis. En effet, les migrants de langue allemande étaient un peu délaissés sur le plan spirituel. Franz-Xavier entra donc au noviciat des Rédemptoristes le 22 novembre 1842. L'année suivante, partant du Havre, en France, il arriva à New York le 20 avril 1843 où il termina son noviciat et ses études de théologie. Puis, il fut ordonné prêtre le 22 décembre 1844, dans l'église Saint James, à Baltimore, dans le Maryland, aux États-Unis.

Devenu prêtre, Franz-Xavier travailla pendant neuf ans dans la paroisse sainte Philomène à Pittsburg, en Pennsylvanie, d'abord comme vicaire de saint Jean Neumann, supérieur de la communauté, et puis en qualité de supérieur et curé pendant les trois dernières années. Il était également le maître des novices des futurs Rédemptoristes.

Franz-Xavier se consacra à la prédication missionnaire avec Jean Neumann. Franz-Xavier disait de Neumann: “C'est lui qui m'a initié à la vie active” et “il fut mon guide comme directeur spirituel et confesseur”. Toujours disponible, Franz-Xavier fut vite apprécié comme confesseur et guide spirituel. Il était un vrai missionnaire, constamment souriant et toujours généreux envers les personnes dans le besoin ou les marginaux. Il s'intéressait tout particulièrement à la catéchèse des  enfants, et son enseignement destiné aux adultes était à la fois très riche tout en restant très simple dans son expression. C'était un vrai pédagogue, fidèle à son charisme de prêtre rédemptoriste.

En 1854, Franz-Xavier Seelos fut envoyé à Baltimore, puis à Cumberland en 1857. En 1860, son nom fut proposé au poste d'évêque de Pittsburgh. Mais Franz-Xavier refusa, et le Pape Pie IX compris ses excuses. En 1862,  Franz fut envoyé à Annapolis. Partout où il passait, Franz-Xavier était toujours chargé d'un ministère paroissial tout en travaillant à la formation des étudiants et des futurs rédemptoristes. De 1863 à 1866, il s'adonna comme missionnaire itinérant en anglais et en allemand dans les États du Connecticut, de l'Illinois, du Michigan, du Missouri, du New Jersey, ainsi que dans les États de New York, de l'Ohio, de la Pennsylvanie, de Rhode Island et du Wisconsin. Partout où il passait, Franz-Xavier était toujours un bon pasteur heureux, disponible, attentif à tous les besoins, surtout de ses étudiants, futurs missionnaires rédemptoristes,  auxquels il s'efforçait surtout d'inculquer l'enthousiasme, l'esprit de sacrifice et le zèle apostolique nécessaire au bien spirituel et temporel des gens. Notons qu'il prêchait en anglais et en allemand.

Après son passage dans l'état du Michigan, il fut nommé à la tête de la communauté rédemptoriste de la Nouvelle Orléans en Louisiane et curé de la paroisse Sainte-Marie de l'Assomption. Partout on reconnaissait le pasteur joyeux, disponible envers tous ses paroissiens, surtout les plus pauvres et les plus abandonnés. Au mois de septembre 1867, quoique épuisé par ses multiples activités, il multiplia ses visites et ses soins aux victimes de la fièvre jaune, qu'il contracta lui-même, et qu'il supporta avec une patience admirable jusqu'à sa mort, le 4 octobre 1867, à l'âge de 48 ans et 9 mois.

Le Père Franz-Xavier Seelos fut proclamé bienheureux par le Pape Jean-Paul II le 9 avril 2000. Sa fête est le 4 ou le 5 octobre.

Paulette Leblanc

SOURCE : http://nova.evangelisation.free.fr/leblanc_franz_xavier_seelos.htm


Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos


Also known as

  • Father Seelos
  • Francesco Saverio Seelos
  • Franz Xaver Seelos

Memorial

Profile

One of twelve children born to Mang and Frances Schwarzenbach Seelos; he was named for Saint Francis Xavier. His father was a textile merchant who became parish sacristan. Francis was Confirmed on 3 September 1828, and made his first Communion on 2 April 1830. The boy wanted to be a priest from an early age, and often claimed he would be another Francis Xavier.

He completed his basic studies in Füssen, Germany, and graduated from the Institute of Saint Stephen in AugsburgGermany in 1839. Received a degree in philosophy and theology from the University of Munich, and entered the Saint Jerome seminary in Dillingen an der Donau, Germany on 19 September 1842.

Francis became familiar with the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, and their mission to work with the poorest, the abandoned, and immigrants. He joined on 22 November 1842. Feeling a call to minister to German immigrants to America, he left the seminary on 9 December 1842sailed for the America on 17 March 1843, and arrived in New York on 20 AprilOrdained in the Redemptorist Church of Saint James in BaltimoreMaryland on 22 December 1844.

Worked nine years at Saint Philomena parish in PittsburghPennsylvania, six of those years as assistant pastor to, and spiritual student of Saint John Neumann, and the other three as superior and novice master of his Redemptorist community. Faithful to the Redemptorist teachings, he led a simple life, preached a simple message, and was always available to those in need. His sermons drew crowds from neighboring towns, there were lines outside his confessional, and he never tired of working with children. He heard Confessions in English, German, and French, from black and whites and anyone else with a burden.

Transferred to parish ministries in Baltimore in 1854, Cumberland, Maryland in 1857, and Annapolis, Maryland in 1862. Proposed as bishop of Pittsburgh in 1860, but he begged to be excused “from this act of God“, and his desire was granted by Pope Pius IX.

In 1863, during the American Civil War, all men were obliged to be available for active military duty. Seelos, as Superior of the Redemptorist Seminary, met with President Abraham Lincoln, and obtained an agreement not to send seminarians to the front. Seelos soon after lost his position as Prefect of Students for being “too lenient”.

From 1863 to 1866 he lived as an itinerant mission preacher in both English and German in ConnecticutIllinoisMichiganMissouriNew JerseyNew YorkOhioPennsylvaniaRhode Island, and Wisconsin. Hearing of an influx of German immigrants to New OrleansLouisiana, he pastored a Redemptorist church there beginning in 1866. He worked with yellow fever victims until he was taken by the illness the next year.

Born

Died

Venerated

Beatified

Patronage

Readings

O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight. I offer praise to You for the grace You have bestowed on Your humble missionary, Father Francis Xavier Seelos. May I have the same joyful vigor that Father Seelos possessed during his earthly life to love You deeply and live faithfully Your gospel. Amen. – Byron Miller, C.Ss.R.

Faithful to the spirit and charism of the Redemptorist Congregation to which he belonged, Father Francis Xavier Seelos often meditated upon these words of the Psalmist. Sustained by God’s grace and an intense life of prayerFather Seelos left his native Bavaria and committed himself generously and joyfully to the missionary apostolate among immigrant communities in the United States.

In the various places where he worked, Father Francis Xavier brought his enthusiasm, spirit of sacrifice and apostolic zeal. To the abandoned and the lost he preached the message of Jesus Christ, “the source of eternal salvation” (Heb 5: 9), and in the hours spent in the confessional he convinced many to return to God. Today, Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos invites the members of the Church to deepen their union with Christ in the sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist. Through his intercession, may all who work in the vineyard for the salvation of God‘s people be encouraged and strengthened in their task. – Pope John Paul II at the beatification recognition for Blessed Francis

MLA Citation

  • “Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos“. CatholicSaints.Info. 10 May 2020. Web. 3 October 2020. <https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-francis-xavier-seelos/>

SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/blessed-francis-xavier-seelos/

Photo of the Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos in the Basilica of St Mang, Füssen, Germany. 

Photo taken by Myke Rosenthal-English on 18th May 2007.


Pope John Paul II – Homily at the Mass for the Beatification of Five Servants of God – 9 April 2000


1. “We wish to see Jesus” (John 12: 21).

This is the request made to Philip by some Greeks who went up to Jerusalem for the Passover. Their desire to meet Jesus and to hear his word prompts a solemn response: “The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified” (John 12: 23). What is this “hour” to which Jesus refers? The context explains it: it is the mysterious and solemn “hour” of his Death and Resurrection.

To see Jesus! Like that group of Greeks, countless men and women down the centuries have desired to know the Lord. They have seen him with the eyes of faith. They have recognized him as the crucified and risen Messiah. They have let themselves be won over by him and have become his faithful disciples. They are the saints and blesseds whom the Church holds up to us as models to imitate and examples to follow.

In the context of the Holy Year celebrations, today I have the joy of raising several new blesseds to the glory of the altars. They are five confessors of the faith who proclaimed Christ in word and bore witness to him in continual service to their brethren. They are Mariano de Jesús Euse Hoyos, a diocesan parish priest; Francis Xavier Seelos, a professed priest of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer; Anna Rosa Gattorno, a widow, foundress of the Institute of the Daughters of St Anne; Mary Elisabeth Hesselblad, foundress of the Order of the Sisters of the Most Holy Saviour; and Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan, foundress of the Congregation of the Holy Family in India.

2. “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also” (Jn 12: 26), Jesus told us in the Gospel we just heard. A faithful follower of Jesus Christ in the self-sacrificing exercise of the priestly ministry, Fr Mariano de Jesús Euse Hoyos, a Colombian, is raised today to the glory of the altars. From his intimate experience of meeting the Lord, Fr Marianito, as he is familiarly known in his homeland, dedicated himself tirelessly to the evangelization of children and adults, especially farmworkers. He spared no sacrifice or hardship, giving himself for almost 50 years in a modest parish of Angostura, in Antioquia, for the glory of God and the good of the souls entrusted to his care.

May his shining witness of charity, understanding, service, solidarity and forgiveness be an example in Colombia and also an effective help in continuing the work of peace and full reconciliation in this beloved country. If 9 April 52 years ago marked the beginning of violence and conflicts, which unfortunately are still going on, may this day of the Great Jubilee year mark a new phase in which all Colombians will build a new Colombia together, one based on peace, social justice, respect for all human rights and brotherly love among children of the same homeland.

3. “Give me again the joy of your help; with a spirit of fervour sustain me, that I may teach transgressors your ways and sinners may return to you” (Ps 51: 14-15).

Faithful to the spirit and charism of the Redemptorist Congregation to which he belonged, Fr Francis Xavier Seelos often meditated upon these words of the Psalmist. Sustained by God’s grace and an intense life of prayer, Fr Seelos left his native Bavaria and committed himself generously and joyfully to the missionary apostolate among immigrant communities in the United States.

In the various places where he worked, Father Francis Xavier brought his enthusiasm, spirit of sacrifice and apostolic zeal. To the abandoned and the lost he preached the message of Jesus Christ, “the source of eternal salvation” (Heb 5: 9), and in the hours spent in the confessional he convinced many to return to God. Today, Bl. Francis Xavier Seelos invites the members of the Church to deepen their union with Christ in the sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist. Through his intercession, may all who work in the vineyard for the salvation of God’s people be encouraged and strengthened in their task.

4. “I, when I am lifted up from the earth”, Jesus promised in the Gospel, “will draw all men to myself” (Jn 12: 32). Indeed, from high on the Cross Jesus will reveal to the world God’s boundless love for humanity in need of salvation. Irresistibly drawn by this love, Anna Rosa Gattorno made a continual sacrifice of her life for the conversion of sinners and the sanctification of all mankind. To be “Jesus’ voice” in order to bring the message of his saving love everywhere: this was her heart’s deepest desire!

With complete trust in Providence and motivated by a courageous impulse of charity, Bl. Anna Rosa Gattorno had one desire: to serve Jesus in the suffering and wounded limbs of her neighbour, with sensitivity and motherly attention to all human misery.

Today the special witness of charity left by the new blessed is still a stirring encouragement for everyone in the Church who is committed more specifically to proclaiming the love of God, who heals the wounds of every heart and offers the fullness of immortal life to all.

5. “When I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all men to myself” (Jn 12: 32). The promise of Jesus is wonderfully fulfilled also in the life of Mary Elisabeth Hesselblad. Like her fellow countrywoman, St Bridget, she too acquired a deep understanding of the wisdom of the Cross through prayer and in the events of her own life. Her early experience of poverty, her contact with the sick who impressed her by their serenity and trust in God’s help, and her perseverance despite many obstacles in founding the Order of the Most Holy Saviour of St Bridget, taught her that the Cross is at the centre of human life and is the ultimate revelation of our heavenly Father’s love. By constantly meditating on God’s word, Sr Elisabeth was confirmed in her resolve to work and pray that all Christians would be one (cf. Jn 17: 21).

She was convinced that by listening to the voice of the crucified Christ they would come together into one flock under one Shepherd (cf. Jn 10: 16), and from the very beginning her foundation, characterized by its Eucharistic and Marian spirituality, committed itself to the cause of Christian unity by means of prayer and evangelical witness. Through the intercession of Bl. Mary Elisabeth Hesselblad, pioneer of ecumenism, may God bless and bring to fruition the Church’s efforts to build ever deeper communion and foster ever more effective cooperation among all Christ’s followers: ut unum sint.

6. “Unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies it yields a rich harvest” (John 12: 24). From childhood, Mariam Thresia Mankidiyan knew instinctively that God’s love for her demanded a deep personal purification. Committing herself to a life of prayer and penance, Sr Mariam Thresia’s willingness to embrace the Cross of Christ enabled her to remain steadfast in the face of frequent misunderstandings and severe spiritual trials. The patient discernment of her vocation eventually led to the foundation of the Congregation of the Holy Family, which continues to draw inspiration from her contemplative spirit and love of the poor.

Convinced that “God will give eternal life to those who convert sinners and bring them to the right path” (Letter 4 to her Spiritual Father), Sr Mariam devoted herself to this task by her visits and advice, as well as by her prayers and penitential practice. Through Blessed Mariam Thresia’s intercession, may all consecrated men and women be strengthened in their vocation to pray for sinners and draw others to Christ by their words and example.

7. “I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jer 31: 33). God is our only Lord and we are his people. This indissoluble covenant of love between God and humanity was brought to its fulfilment in Christ’s paschal sacrifice. It is in him that, despite belonging to different lands and cultures, we become one people, one Church, one and the same spiritual building whose bright and solid stones are the saints.

Let us thank the Lord for the splendid witness of these new blesseds. Let us look to them, especially in this Lenten season, in order to be spurred in our preparation for the forthcoming Easter celebrations.

May Mary, Queen of Confessors, help us to follow her divine Son as did the new blesseds. May you, Mariano de Jesús Euse Hoyos, Francis Xavier Seelos, Anna Rosa Gattorno, Mary Elisabeth Hesselblad, Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan, intercede for us so that by deeply sharing in Christ’s redemptive Passion we can live the fruitfulness of the seed that dies and be received as his harvest in the kingdom of heaven. Amen!

SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/pope-john-paul-ii-homily-at-the-mass-for-the-beatification-of-five-servants-of-god-9-april-2000/

The Holiness of the Church in the Nineteenth Century – Francis Xavier Seelos


The Servant of God, Francis Xavier Seelos, a Bavarian Redemptorist, did great work for German-American Catholics. He was born at Fiissen on 11 January 1819, made his classical studies at Augsburg, and then went to the University of Munich. Shortly after his entrance into the seminary of Dillingen, 3 November 1842, he asked to be received into the Congregation of the Redemptorists. The career of his patron saint presented to him his ideal and he was to have abundant opportunity to put this ideal into practice. In March of the following year he was sent to the United States to found the first North American novitiate of the Redemptorists. On 22 December 1844, he was ordained by the archbishop of Baltimore. A gigantic task awaited the ardent zeal of the young priest; for the country was so extensive, and there were so many immigrants and so few priests. Father Seelos spent the first year of his priestly labor in parish work and in the direction of religious communities. Afterward he traveled through the wide country as a missionary among the people. Everywhere an unmistakable blessing followed his labor. Men observed that in himself, as in all he said and did, there was an expression of most intimate conviction with which his external conduct was in complete accord. And so it came to pass that he soon had everywhere the reputation of a saint. He alone was much astonished at this and called himself a hypocrite who would have to undergo the severest judgment before God for having so deceived men by his conduct. But when we read what his brethren tell of his prayerfulness, his zeal for penance, his spirit of faith, and his profound humility, we can not wonder that God bestowed so many graces upon his labors and worked through him a multitude of miraculous cures. Father Seelos was an apostle who entirely forgot himself and his own interests and whose heart was wholly filled with the Redeemer’s compassionate love of souls. If such men accomplish great things in the vineyard of the Lord, it is because they have in themselves something of that attractive power which the Son of God Himself exercised when He was upon this earth.

Like his life, the death of Father Seelos was heroic The yellow fever had broken out in New Orleans. Contemning death, he visited the dying to give them the last consolations of religion. He was soon a victim of the epidemic and with cheerful resignation he died, aged forty-eight, on 4 October 1867. This noble death attracted the notice of the world to the sanctity of the servant of God.

The “Baltimore Volks Zeitung” wrote: “The Order of the Redemptorists has lost in him a precious jewel, Catholics one of their most zealous missionaries, and the Church a most exemplary priest; but heaven has gained a saint and a martyr. Charity, gentleness, and piety spoke from his countenance and his exhortations in the confessional compelled obedience through love and goodness. He was indeed a man who by his goodness of heart, by his sincere sympathy for all in distress and by his simplicity and affability won all hearts. Father Seelos died of yellow fever, a victim of his divine vocation, a martyr of charity to suffering humanity.”

The “Catholic Mirror” said on the occasion of his death: “It is not ours to speak of the interior life, of the mortification and self-denial of Father Seelos, which gave him a singular power over men whether in the pulpit or in the confessional. It is sufficient for us to say that in his congregation, which is not wanting in admirable examples of virtue, none has been more highly revered than Father Seelos.”

A New Orleans paper gives him this praise: “No one could see him especially at the altar or in the pulpit without being convinced that the man belonged rather to heaven than to earth.” May the authority of the Church soon declare the sanctity of this son of Bavaria!

– this text is taken from The Holiness of the Church in the Nineteenth Century: Saintly Men and Women of Our Own Times, by Father Constantine Kempf, SJ; translated from the German by Father Francis Breymann, SJ; Impimatur by + Cardinal John Farley, Archbishop of New York, 25 September 1916

SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/the-holiness-of-the-church-in-the-nineteenth-century-francis-xavier-seelos/

St. Mang Basilica Füssen


FRANCESCO SAVERIO SEELOS 

(1819-1867) 

Francis Xavier Seelos, one of 12 children born to Mang and Frances Schwarzenbach Seelos, entered the world on January 11, 1819, in Füssen (Bavaria, Germany). He was baptized on the same day in the parish church of Saint Mang where his father, after having been a textile merchant, would, in 1830, become the sacristan.

Having completed his primary education in 1831, he expressed a desire to become a priest and, with the encouragement of his Pastor, he attended middle school at the Institute of Saint Stephen in Augsburg. Receiving his diploma in 1839, he went on to the University in Munich, Bavaria, where he completed his studies in Philosophy.

He then began to study theology in preparation to enter the seminary where he was admitted on September 19, 1842.

It was during this time that through his acquaintance with the missionaries of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, he came to know both the charism of the Institute, founded to evangelize the most abandoned, and its apostolic works, especially those among the immigrants in the United States of America.

Moved by a profound apostolic zeal and deeply touched by the letters published in the Catholic newspaper Sion, from the Redemptorist missionaries describing the lack of spiritual care for the thousands of German speaking immigrants, Seelos decided to enter the Congregation, asking to be allowed to work as a missionary in the United States.

Receiving the necessary approval on November 22, 1842, he sailed the following March 17, from the port of Le Havre, France, arriving in New York on April 20, 1843.

On December 22, 1844, after having completed his theological studies and novitiate, Seelos was ordained a Priest in the Redemptorist Church of St. James in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

A few months after his ordination, he was transferred to St. Philomena's Parish in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he remained nine years. His first six years there were spent as assistant pastor with St. John Neumann, who was also the superior of the Redemptorist community. The remaining three years, Francis Seelos served as superior of that same community. It was during these years that he was appointed Master of Novices for the Redemptorists.

In addition to his work as assistant pastor, Seelos, together with Neumann, dedicated himself to preaching missions. Regarding his relationship with St. John Neumann, Seelos said: "He has introduced me to the active life" and, "he has guided me as spiritual director and confessor".

His availability and innate kindness in understanding and responding to the needs of the faithful, quickly made him well known as an expert confessor and spiritual director so much so that people came to him even from neighboring towns.

In both Baltimore and Pittsburgh, Seelos made Confession become, rather than a torment, the locus of a life-giving experience of an encounter with Christ Patient and Merciful. His confessional was open to all: "I hear confessions in German, English, French, of Whites and of Blacks".

The faithful described him as the missionary with the constant smile on his lips and a generous heart, especially towards the needy and the marginalized.

It is no coincidence that in Pittsburgh, after his death, the people began to attribute to his intercession many favors received.

Faithful to the Redemptorist charism, he practiced a simple life style and a simple manner of expressing himself. The themes of his preaching, rich in biblical content, were always heard and understood even by the simplest people. A constant endeavor in his pastoral activity was instructing the little children in the faith. He not only favored this ministry, he held it as fundamental for the growth of the Christian community in the Parish.

In 1854, he was transferred from Pittsburgh, to a number of cities in the state of Maryland: Baltimore, then Cumberland in1857, and to Annapolis (1862), all the while engaged in Parish ministry.

In Cumberland and Annapolis, he also served in the formation of future Redemptorists as Prefect of Students. Even in this post, he was true to his character remaining always the kind and happy pastor, always prudently attentive to the needs of his students and conscientious of their doctrinal formation. Above all, he strove to instill in these future Redemptorist missionaries the enthusiasm, the spirit of sacrifice and apostolic zeal for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the people.

In 1860, His Excellency Michael O'Connor, Bishop of Pittsburgh, upon leaving his diocese, recommended Father Seelos as the Priest most qualified to succeed him. Francis Seelos wrote Pope Paul IX explaining his inadequacy to accept such a responsibility and asking " to be liberated from this calamity". He was overjoyed when another Priest was named Bishop of Pittsburgh.

Following the outbreak of the Civil War in the United States, new laws were enacted in 1863 which required every able bodied male to make himself available for military duty. Seelos, as Superior of the Redemptorist seminary, traveled to Washington to meet with President Abraham Lincoln and ask him to exempt the Redemptorist seminarians from military service. Lincoln, according to Seelos himself, was not only extremely receptive of the petition, but promised to do everything in his power to bring it about. In fact, the students were exempted from going off to war.

Relieved from his office as Prefect of Students because, according to a zealous confrere, he was too obliging and not severe enough with the seminarians, from 1863 to 1866 he dedicated himself to the life of an itinerant missionary preaching in English and German in the states of Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.

After a brief period of parish ministry in Detroit, Michigan, he was assigned in 1866 to the Redemptorist community in New Orleans, Louisiana. Here also, as pastor of the of the Assumption, he was known as a pastor who was joyously available to his faithful and singularly concerned for the poorest and the most abandoned. As in other cities, his prayers were considered very powerful in obtaining favors from God.

In God's plan, however, his ministry in New Orleans was destined to be brief. In the month of September, exhausted from visiting and caring for the victims of Yellow Fever, he contracted the dreaded disease. After several weeks of patiently enduring his illness, he passed on to eternal life on October 4, 1867, at the age of 48 years and 9 months.

SOURCE : https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20000409_beat-Seelos_en.html

PREACHER, MIRACLE WORKER, FRIEND

The heroic and miraculous religious life of the “Cheerful Ascetic” Redemptorist Father Francis Xavier Seelos, C.Ss.R. (1819-1867) inspires legions of the clergy, religious, laity and specifically those seeking a miracle of healing throughout the world.

Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 2000, Fr. Seelos possessed great mystical gifts due to his life of intense prayer and penance. His innate kindness, understanding and dedication to the needs of the faithful from all walks of life makes him an outstanding model for those in religious life and laity alike. As a missionary preacher and lifelong friend of the poor and destitute, Seelos was a spiritual father to tens of thousands, giving counsel and hearing the confessions of all who came to him. Despite his untimely death at age 48, so profound was his apostolic zeal that sickness, persecution, and even the upheaval caused by civil war could not stop him.

SOURCE : https://seelos.org/

A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF BLESSED SEELOS

Francis Xavier Seelos was born on January 11, 1819 in Füssen, Bavaria, Germany. He was baptized on the same day in the parish church of St. Mang. Having expressed a desire for the priesthood since childhood, he entered the diocesan seminary in 1842 after completing his studies in philosophy. Soon after meeting the missionaries of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists), founded for the evangelization of the most abandoned, he decided to enter the Congregation and to minister to German speaking immigrants in the United States.

SEELOS MAKES HIS WAY TO THE UNITED STATES

Seelos was accepted by the Congregation on November 22, 1842 and arrived in New York on April 20, 1843. On December 22, 1844, after having completed his novitiate and theological studies, he was ordained a priest in the Redemptorist Church of St. James in Baltimore, Maryland. 

After being ordained, he worked for nine years in the parish of St. Philomena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, first as assistant pastor with St. John Neumann, the superior of the Religious Community, later as Superior himself, and for the last three years as pastor. During this time, he was also the Redemptorist Novice Master.

A PASSION FOR MISSIONARY WORK

During his time spent with Neumann, Seelos dedicated himself to parish ministry and preaching missions. Regarding their relationship, Seelos said: “He has introduced me to the active life” and, “he has guided me as a spiritual director and confessor.”

Seelos’ availability and innate kindness in understanding and responding to the needs of the faithful quickly made him well known as an expert confessor and spiritual director, so much so that people came to him even from neighboring towns. Faithful to the Redemptorist charism, he practiced a simple lifestyle and a simple manner of expressing himself. The themes of his preaching, rich in biblical content, were always heard and understood by everyone, regardless of education, culture or background.

A constant endeavor in this pastoral activity was instructing little children in the faith. He not only favored this ministry, he held it as fundamental for the growth of the Christian community. In all he did, he maintained a deep devotion to Our Mother Mary.

SPREADING THE REDEMPTORIST MISSION ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

In 1854 Seelos was transferred from Pittsburgh to Baltimore, then to Cumberland in 1857, and to Annapolis in 1862, all the while engaged in parish ministry and serving in the formation of future Redemptorists as Prefect of Students. Even in this post he was true to his character, remaining always the kind and happy pastor, prudently attentive to the needs of his students and conscientious of their doctrinal formation. During his years in Annapolis, Seelos met with President Abraham Lincoln in Washington to urge him to excuse his seminarian students from military service during the Civil War. They were not officially excused, but were never drafted. Above all, Seelos strove to instill in these future Redemptorist missionaries the enthusiasm, spirit of sacrifice and apostolic zeal for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the people.

In 1860 Seelos was proposed as a candidate for the office of Bishop of Pittsburgh. He was excused from this responsibility by Pope Pius IX. From 1863 until 1866 he dedicated himself to the life of an itinerant missionary, preaching in English and German throughout Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.

HIS FINAL YEARS

After a brief period of parish ministry in Detroit, Michigan, he was assigned in 1866 to the Redemptorist community in New Orleans, Louisiana. Here also, as pastor of St. Mary’s Assumption Church, he was always joyously available to his faithful and singularly concerned for the poorest and the most abandoned. In God’s plan, however, his ministry in New Orleans was destined to be brief. In the month of September, exhausted from visiting and caring for the victims of yellow fever, he contracted the dreaded disease. After several weeks of patiently enduring his illness, he passed on to eternal life on October 4, 1867, at the age of 48 years and 9 months.

His Holiness Pope John Paul II declared Father Seelos “Blessed” in St. Peter’s Square on April 9 of the Solemn Jubilee Year 2000. There is one official miracle attributed to his intercession and other cases are currently under investigation. If the Vatican approves a second miracle, Blessed Seelos will be proclaimed a saint. His Feast Day is October 5th. 

SOURCE : https://seelos.org/biography/

BLESSED FRANCIS X. SEELOS

Feast Day: October 5

Blessed Francis Seelos devotional items (National Seelos Shrine)

Francis Xavier Seelos was born in Fussen, Bavaria, on January 11, 1819. He studied philosophy at the University of Munich and began theology as a diocesan seminarian. After visiting the Redemptorists in Altötting, where he heard of their missionary work in North America, he decided to join them.

With their approval, he set off for the United States in 1843 where he made his novitiate. He made his profession in Baltimore in May 1844 and was ordained a priest there in December. His first assignment was to St. Philomena's in Pittsburgh where he served for six years as assistant under the leadership of John Neumann, who was pastor and superior of the community. Father Seelos went on to serve as superior of the community and novice master for three more years.

He was appointed pastor of St. Alphonsus in Baltimore, 1854; pastor and prefect of students at Sts. Peter and Paul in Cumberland, MD, 1857; and pastor and prefect of students at St. Mary's in Annapolis, MD, 1862.

Replaced as prefect of students, he preached missions in German and English throughout the Northeast and Midwest. Father Seelos was always an active and highly successful missioner. He was particularly devoted to the confessional, and was revered as an exceptional confessor and spiritual director. After a year as assistant pastor of St. Mary's in Detroit, MI, in 1866, he was assigned as pastor of Assumption Parish in New Orleans, LA. There he made a great effort to care for the poor, sick, and neglected. While caring for victims of yellow fever, he contracted the disease himself. Only a year after being assigned, he died in New Orleans on October 4, 1867. He was beatified in 2000.

The National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos is in New Orleans.

Prayer to Blessed Seelos

O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight.

I offer praise to You for the grace You have bestowed on Your humble missionary, Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos. May I have the same joyful vigor that Father Seelos possessed during his earthly life to love You deeply and live faithfully Your Gospel.

Divine Physician, You infused Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos with the gift of Your healing. By the help of his prayers, sustain in me the grace to know Your will and the strength to overcome my afflictions.

For love of You, make me whole. May I learn from the example of Blessed Seelos and gain comfort from his patient endurance.

Bountiful God, in Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos You have given Your people a model for those who labor joyfully in Your earthly kingdom. May the smile of Father Seelos in Your heavenly dominion dwell on those who find life burdensome.

Help Father Seelos to keep continually before the eyes of Your people the gentleness of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.

Source: Sacramentary and Lectionary Supplement, The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. (North American Redemptorist Spirituality Commission, 2007)

Copyright © The Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province


107 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 (toll free) 877-876-7662 

SOURCE : https://web.archive.org/web/20161025023129/http://redemptorists.net/saints-seelos.cfm

Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos

Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos and St. Mary of Victories Parish

It was in St. Mary of Victories that the Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, C.Ss.R., made his Missouri preaching debut. Together with his Redemptorist companions, Fathers Schneider, Jacob and Gulielm, Seelos preached a parish mission in German from the first to fifteenth of October 1865, shortly after the Civil War. The side altar in the south middle portion of the nave of the church honors his role in the historic parish's development. His statue rests on an altar made from the communion rail from old St. Malachy's Church in the Mill Creek Valley (now demolished), and was once used by the now-closed St. Timothy Parish in Afton, MO.

The church is honored to have a first class relic of Fr. Seelos, as well as one of the five known death masks made of the holy priest at his death.

Short Biography

Francis Xavier Seelos was born on January 11, 1819 in Fussen, Bavaria, Germany.  He joined the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) to minister to the German speaking immigrants in the United States.  He was accepted into the congregation in 1842 and sailed the following year from Le Havre, France arriving in New York in 1843.  Fr. Seelos was ordained a priest in the Redemptorist Church of St. James in Baltimore, Maryland on December 22, 1844.

After his ordination, he worked for nine years in St. Philomena Parish in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, including time as assistant pastor to St. John Neumann.  He also served as superior of the community, as pastor, then as novice master.  Regarding his relationship with St. John Neumann, he said, "he has guided me as a spiritual director and confessor."

Fr. Seelos was always known as kind and approachable, and his reputation as a confessor and spiritual director attracted people from far and wide.  He practiced a simple lifestyle and expressed himself simply.  He was well known as a catechist for little children, and held this as a fundamental aspect of the growth of the Christian parish community.  His reputation in Pittsburgh and in other locations, brought him to the attention of Venerable Pope Pius IX, who in 1854 had declared the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.  The pope offered him the bishopric of Pittsburg, but at Fr. Seelos' request, he was allowed to remain with the people, ministering to their needs and traveling as an itinerant preacher in both English and German.  From 1863 to 1866 he travelled to locations in Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.  This is the time period in which he visited St. Mary of Victories in St. Louis, Missouri.  During this time he also met with Abraham Lincoln to plead for seminarians to be excluded from the conscription for the Civil War.  

After serving in Michigan in parish ministry, he was assigned in 1866 to the Redemptorist community in New Orleans, Louisiana.  As the pastor of the Church of St. Mary of the Assumption, he continued his joyful work and attention to the needs of the faithful, especially the poorest and most abandoned.  His ministry there was brief.  In September of that year, exhausted from his work with the victims of a yellow fever epidempic, he contracted the disease.  After several weeks of enduring this illness, he passed on to eternal life on October 4, 1867 at 48 years old.

Beatification

Pope St. John Paul II, proclaimed Father Seelos Blessed in St. Peter's Square on April 9th of the Solemn Jubilee Year 2000.  His Feast Day is October 5.

Please continue to pray for the cause of Fr. Seelos' canonization, and support his shrine in New Orleans.


Special Prayer for Canonization

Oh my God, I truly believe you are present with me.
I adore your limitless perfections.
I thank you for the graces and gifts you gave to Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos.
If it is your Holy Will, please let him be declared a Saint of the Church,
so that others may know and imitate his holy life.
Through his prayers, please give me this favor ...
(here, mention your special intentions)

Amen.

SOURCE : https://smov.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=345&Itemid=683

Francis X. Seelos

Born at Füssen, Bavaria, 11 January, 1819; died at New Orleans, La., 4 Oct., 1867. When a child, asked by his mother what he intended to be, he pointed to the picture of his patron, St. Francis Xavier, and said: "I'm going to be another St. Francis." He pursued his studies in Augsburg and Munich, and entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, offering himself for the American Mission; he arrived in America on 17 April, 1843. That following year, 16 May, 1844, he made his religious profession at the Redemptorist novitiateBaltimore, and seven months later he was ordained by Archbishop Eccleston of Baltimore. He was assigned to St. James, Baltimore. In May 1845, he was sent to Pittsburg, where he had as superior Ven. John Neumann. In 1851 Father Seelos was appointed superior of the Pittsburg community, where he laboured untiringly for nine years. His confessional was constantly besieged by crowds of people of every description and class. It was said by many that he could read their very souls. From Pittsburg, he was transferred to St. Alphonsus's, Baltimore, where he fell dangerously ill. On his recovery he was appointed prefect (spiritual director) of the professed students, and he succeeded in winning the love an esteem of all who were privileged to be under his spiritual guidance. In 1860 his name was proposed for the vacant Holy See of Pittsburg, but humbly refused the honour. The year 1862 found him again at mission work. In 1866 he was summoned to Detroit, and in September of the same year to New Orleans, Louisiana. The cause of his beatification is in progress.

Sources

ZIMMER, Leben des P.F.Z. Seelos (New York, 1887); BECK, Die Redemptorists in Ammapolis (Ilchester, 1904); BENEDETTI, Album Servorum Dei, C.SS.R. (Rome, 1903); SHEA, History of the Catholic Church in the United States, I (New york, 1908).

Warren, Cornelius. "Francis X. Seelos." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. 3 Oct. 2020 <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13681b.htm>.

Transcription. This article was transcribed for New Advent by Maria Medina. Dedicated to Lita Candelaria.

Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. February 1, 1912. Remy Lafort, D.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.

Copyright © 2020 by Kevin Knight. Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

SOURCE : https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13681b.htm

Beato Francesco Saverio Seelos Sacerdote redentorista

4 ottobre

Fussen, Baviera, 11 gennaio 1819 - New Orleans, Stati Uniti, 4 ottobre 1867

Francesco Saverio Seelos nacque l'11 gennaio 1819 a Füssen (Baviera, Germania). Frequentò il ginnasio nell'Istituto di Santo Stefano a Augsburg. Ricevuto il diploma nel 1839, proseguì gli studi a Monaco di Baviera. Entrò in seminario il 19 settembre 1842. In questo tempo conobbe i missionari della Congregazione del Santissimo Redentore. Decise così di entrare nella Congregazione, chiedendo di lavorare come missionario negli Stati Uniti per gli immigrati di lingua tedesca. Ricevuto l'assenso il 22 novembre 1842, l'anno seguente, il 17 marzo, partì dal porto di Le Havre, in Francia, per giungere a New York il 20 aprile 1843. Il 22 dicembre 1844 fu ordinato sacerdote nella chiesa redentorista di San Giacomo a Baltimora, nel Maryland. Fu poi trasferito a Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania nella parrocchia di Santa Filomena, dove rimase nove anni, collaborando come viceparroco di Giovanni Neumann, il superiore della comunità. Nel 1854, da Pittsburgh fu trasferito a Baltimora, poi a Cumberland (1857) e ad Annapolis (1862). Nel 1866 fu assegnato alla comunità di New Orleans in Louisiana, dove morì il 4 ottobre 1867. (Avvenire)

Martirologio Romano: A New Orleans in Louisiana negli Stati Uniti d’America, beato Francesco Saverio Seelos, sacerdote della Congregazione del Santissimo Redentore, originario della Baviera, sempre attento alle necessità dei fanciulli, dei giovani e degli immigrati.

Non dovevano andare a gonfie vele gli affari di quel commerciante di tessuti, se un bel giorno diede un calcio alla sua attività a se ne andò a fare il sacrestano. Come a dire: meglio uno stipendio modesto, ma sicuro, che un’attività più redditizia ma dal guadagno incerto. E di un’entrata sicura doveva aver certamente bisogno quel padre di dodici figli, che faceva i salti mortali per riuscire almeno a togliere loro la fame. Senza contare che, magari, fu proprio il suo lavoro di sacrestano a far nascere nel cuore di uno dei suoi figli il desiderio di diventare prete. Siamo in Baviera (Germania), precisamente a Fussen, dove questo ragazzo nasce l’11 gennaio 1819 e dove viene battezzato lo stesso giorno. Finite le elementari, proprio negli anni in cui papà diventa sacrestano, ecco spuntare una vocazione, al principio timida, che ha bisogno dell’incoraggiamento dell’arciprete. Studia da esterno e riesce anche bene, dimostrando intelligenza e capacità non comuni. Non appena, a 23 anni, entra in seminario per studiare teologia, conosce i Redentoristi, la congregazione fondata da S. Alfonso Maria de Liguori: ne resta talmente affascinato che tre mesi dopo è dei loro. Ad attirarlo è stato il carisma della congregazione, particolarmente orientata all’evangelizzazione degli ultimi, e la richiesta pressante, che arriva da oltre Oceano, di sacerdoti che si dedichino all’assistenza spirituale dei lavoratori di lingua tedesca emigrati negli Stati Uniti. E così , a 24 anni, si imbarca alla volta di New York. Dopo l’ordinazione lo mandano in Pennsylvania e, per gli scherzi della Provvidenza che spesso fa incontrare e coabitare i santi, diventa a Pittsburg collaboratore di Giovanni Neumann, oggi santo. Tra i due nasce subito un’intensa collaborazione e il pretino si fa dirigere spiritualmente dal suo superiore, che oltre ad accompagnarlo nei primi passi del sacerdozio, lo indirizza anche decisamente sulla strada della santità. I parrocchiani scoprono subito che il nuovo arrivato è affabile, disponibile al massimo, con un sorriso sempre stampato in faccia e con un debole particolare per i poveri. Predica bene e si fa capire da tutti, perché il suo stile è semplice e lineare come la sua vita. Davanti al suo confessionale comincia a formarsi una coda di penitenti, che arrivano anche da altre parrocchie e da altre città, perché si rivela un’eccellente guida spirituale, oltre ad essere un sacerdote che ascolta le confessioni “in tedesco, in inglese, in francese, dei bianchi e dei neri”. Il prete dal perenne sorriso e dalla pazienza infinita aiuta tutti a fare della confessione un incontro vivo con Gesù, paziente e misericordioso: è questa una fama che si porta dietro nei suoi vari spostamenti, da Baltimora a Cumberland, da Detroit a New Orleans. Poco più che quarantenne viene proposto come candidato vescovo di Pittsburg, ma scrivendo addirittura a Pio IX riesce ad evitare “questa calamità”. Nel 1866 viene nominato parroco di New Orleans, dove è destinato a fermarsi appena un anno: visitando e curando le vittime dell’epidemia di febbre gialla, si ammala anche lui e muore il 4 ottobre 1867, ad appena 48 anni. Neanche da morto si dimentica però di essere affabile e cortese e, a cominciare da Pittsburg, si segnalano grazie e miracoli per sua intercessione, che portano Giovanni Paolo II°, il 9 aprile 2000, a proclamare beato Padre Francesco Saverio Seelos, il parroco che sorrideva sempre e si faceva benvolere da tutti.

Autore: Gianpiero Pettiti

SOURCE : http://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/72975

FRANCESCO SAVERIO SEELOS 

(1819-1867) 

Francesco Saverio Seelos nacque l'11 gennaio 1819 a Füssen (Baviera, Germania), da Magno e Francesca Schwarzenbach, che ebbero altri 11 figli. Il giorno stesso fu battezzato nella chiesa parrocchiale di S. Magno, dove il padre, dopo essere stato commerciante tessile, comincerà dal 1830 a svolgere il compito di sacrista.

Completate le scuole elementari nel 1831, manifestando la sua aspirazione al sacerdozio, con l'incoraggiamento del parroco, frequentò il ginnasio nell'Istituto di S. Stefano a Augsburg. Ricevuto il diploma nel 1839, proseguì gli studi a Monaco di Baviera, frequentando il biennio di filosofia all'università.

Alla fine del corso, iniziò a studiare teologia per prepararsi ad entrare in seminario, dove fu ammesso il 19 settembre 1842.

In questo tempo, avendo contatti con i missionari della Congregazione del Ss. Redentore, venne a conoscenza sia del carisma dell'Istituto, fondato per l'evangelizzazione degli uomini più abbandonati, che della loro attività apostolica, particolarmente quella svolta negli Stati Uniti per gli immigrati.

Animato da un profondo zelo apostolico e rimasto profondamente colpito dalle lettere dei Redentoristi, pubblicate sul periodico cattolico Sion, che descrivevano la mancanza di assistenza spirituale alle migliaia di immigrati di lingua tedesca, Seelos decise di entrare nella Congregazione, chiedendo di lavorare come missionario negli Stati Uniti.

Ricevuto l'assenso il 22 novembre 1842, l'anno seguente, il 17 marzo, partì dal porto di Le Havre, in Francia, per giungere a New York il 20 aprile 1843.

Compiuto il noviziato e conclusi gli studi teologici, il 22 dicembre 1844 fu ordinato sacerdote nella chiesa redentorista di S. Giacomo a Baltimora, nel Maryland.

Qualche mese dopo l'ordinazione, fu trasferito a Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania nella parrocchia di S. Filomena, dove rimase nove anni, collaborando dapprima come viceparroco di S. Giovanni Neumann, il superiore della comunità, e poi in qualità di superiore negli ultimi tre anni. In questo tempo, fu anche nominato maestro dei novizi redentoristi.

Oltre all'attività di viceparroco, Seelos si dedicò con Neumann anche alla predicazione missionaria. Sul rapporto intercorso tra i due, Francesco Saverio ebbe modo di affermare: "Mi ha introdotto nella vita attiva" e "mi ha diretto come guida spirituale e confessore".

La sua disponibilità e la connaturale affabilità nell'accogliere e capire i bisogni dei fedeli, lo fecero subito conoscere quale esperto confessore e guida spirituale, tanto che le persone arrivavano a lui anche dai luoghi limitrofi.

Come a Baltimora, anche a Pittsburgh, Seelos fece sì che la confessione, più che un tormento, fosse per i penitenti un'esperienza fertile di incontro col Cristo paziente e misericordioso. Il suo confessionale era aperto a tutti: "Io sento le confessioni in tedesco, inglese, francese, dei bianchi e dei neri".

I fedeli lo descrivevano come il missionario dal costante sorriso sulle labbra e dal cuore generoso, particolarmente verso i bisognosi e gli emarginati.

Non è perciò un caso che proprio a Pittsburgh, dopo la morte, il popolo ha cominciato ad attribuire alla sua intercessione le grazie ricevute.

Fedele al carisma redentorista, si esprimeva sempre con uno stile di vita e un linguaggio semplice. Gli argomenti delle sue prediche, ricche di contenuti biblici, erano sempre ascoltati e compresi anche dalle persone più ignoranti. Una caratteristica costante del suo apostolato era la catechesi ai bambini. Un'attività che non solo prediligeva, ma riteneva fondamentale per la crescita cristiana della comunità parrocchiale.

Nel 1854, da Pittsburgh fu trasferito a Baltimora, poi a Cumberland (1857) e ad Annapolis (1862), sempre impegnato nel ministero parrocchiale.

A Cumberland e ad Annapolis svolse anche il compito di formatore come prefetto degli studenti redentoristi. Anche in questo ruolo, non smentì le precipue caratteristiche di pastore affabile e gioioso, sempre prudentemente disponibile alle necessità dei giovani e sollecito per la loro formazione dottrinale. Soprattutto si premurava di instillare nei futuri missionari redentoristi l'entusiasmo, lo spirito di sacrificio e lo zelo apostolico per il bene spirituale e temporale del popolo.

Nel 1860, il vescovo Michael O'Connor di Pittsburgh, nel lasciare la diocesi, raccomandò il P. Seelos come il sacerdote più qualificato a succedergli. Francesco Saverio scrisse a Papa Pio IX esprimendo la sua incapacità ad assumere una tale responsabilità e pregandolo che "fosse liberato da questa calamità". Fu contentissimo quando venne nominato vescovo a Pittsburgh un altro sacerdote.

A seguito dello scoppio della guerra civile, nel 1863 furono emanate nuove leggi sul servizio militare in cui si obbligavano tutti gli uomini a rendersi disponibili. Seelos, come superiore del seminario redentorista, si recò a Washington per incontrare il presidente Abraham Lincoln e chiedergli di esonerare gli studenti della Congregazione dal servizio militare. Lincoln, non solo, a detto dello stesso Seelos, si mostrò estremamente accogliente, ma promise di fare tutto ciò che era in suo potere. Di fatto gli studenti furono esentati dal partire per il fronte.

Sollevato dall'ufficio di prefetto degli studenti perchè, secondo qualche zelante confratello, troppo accondiscendente e non sufficientemente severo con i giovani, dal 1863 al 1866 si dedicò all'attività missionaria itinerante, predicando in inglese e in tedesco negli stati del Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island e Wisconsin.

Dopo un breve periodo di attività parrocchiale a Detroit nel Michigan, nel 1866 fu assegnato alla comunità di New Orleans in Louisiana. Anche qui, come parroco della chiesa di S. Maria Assunta, fu riconosciuto come pastore sempre allegramente disponibile e singolarmente sollecito verso i più poveri e gli abbandonati. Come in altri luoghi le sue preghiere erano considerate ascoltate per ottenere i favori di Dio.

Nei piani di Dio però il suo ministero a New Orleans doveva essere breve. Nel mese di settembre, estenuato dalle visite agli ammalati di febbre gialla, contrasse anch'egli il morbo. Dopo varie settimane di paziente e allegra sopportazione della malattia, passò alla vita eterna il 4 ottobre 1867, all'età di 48 anni e nove mesi.

SOURCE : http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20000409_beat-Seelos_it.html


Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, St Mang Basilica, Füssen, Germany


FRANZ  XAVER  SEELOS 

(1819-1867) 

Franz Xaver Seelos wurde am 11. Januar 1819 in Füssen (Bayern) als Sohn von Mang (Magnus) und Franziska (geb. Schwarzenbach) geboren. Die Eltern hatten noch 11 andere Kinder. Franz empfing noch am Tag seiner Geburt die Taufe in der Pfarrkirche von St. Mang. Der Vater, ein Textilkaufmann, wird ab 1830 in der Pfarrkirche die Funktion eines Mesners übernehmen.

Nachdem Franz Xaver 1831 die Grundschule absolviert hatte, trat seine Hinneigung zum geistlichen Beruf zu Tage. Vom Pfarrer ermuntert besuchte er das Gymnasium im Institut St. Stephan in Augsburg. 1839 schloß er das Gymnasium mit dem Reifezeugnis ab und setzte dann seine Studien in München (Bayern) fort, wo er den zweijährigen philosophischen Kurs an der Universität besuchte.

Am Ende dieses Kurses begann er mit dem Studium der Theologie und bereitete sich auf den Eintritt in das Priesterseminar vor. Am 19. September 1842 fand er dort Aufnahme.

In dieser Zeit hatte er Kontakt mit den Missionaren der Kongregation vom Allerheiligsten Erlöser und lernte dabei nicht nur das besondere Charisma des Instituts, nämlich die Evangelisierung der verlassensten Menschen, sondern auch dessen apostolische Tätigkeit, vor allem bei den Einwanderern in die Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika, kennen.

Von tiefem apostolischen Eifer erfüllt und bewegt durch Briefe von Redemptoristen in der Zeitschrift „Sion", in denen die pastoralen Notstände Tausender Einwanderer beschrieben wurden, entschloß sich Seelos zum Eintritt in die Kongregation und bat um missionarischen Einsatz in den Vereinigten Staaten.
Nachdem er am 22. November 1842 die Zustimmung zum Eintritt erhalten hatte, trat er am 17. März des folgenden Jahres die Reise an. Er fuhr von Le Havre (Frankreich) ab und erreichte New York am 20. April 1843.

Nach Abschluß des Noviziats und der theologischen Studien empfing er am 22. Dezember 1844 in der Redemptoristenkirche zum hl. Jakob in Baltimore (Maryland) die Priesterweihe.

Einige Monate nach der Priesterweihe wurde er nach Pittsburgh (Pensylvania) in die Pfarre zur hl. Philomena versetzt, wo er neun Jahre hindurch verblieb. In dieser Zeit war er Kaplan beim hl. Johannes N. Neumann, dem damaligen Oberen der Kommunität; die letzten drei Jahre war er selbst Oberer. In dieser Zeit wurde er auch zum Novizenmeister ernannt.

Neben der Tätigkeit als Kaplan widmete sich Seelos zusammen mit Neumann der missionarischen Arbeit. Über die zwischen ihm und Neumann herrschenden Beziehungen schrieb Franz Xaver: „Er hat mich in das aktive Missionsleben eingeführt" und „er hat mich als Seelenführer und Beichtvater begleitet".

Seine Einsatzbereitschaft und seine natürliche Freundlichkeit im Umgang mit Menschen und beim Verständnis der Nöte der Gläubigen machten ihn rasch als erfahrenen Beichtvater und Seelenführer bekannt, so daß Menschen auch aus großer Entfernung zu ihm kamen.

Wie in Baltimore so verstand es Seelos auch in Pittsburgh, die Gläubigen zu überzeugen, daß die Beichte nicht nur nichts Belastendes an sich hat, sondern im Gegenteil zur fruchtbaren Erfahrung einer Begegnung mit dem geduldigen und barmherzigen Christus wird. Sein Beichtstuhl stand allen offen: „Ich höre Beichte auf deutsch, englisch, französisch, gleichermaßen Weiße und Neger".

Die Gläubigen beschrieben ihn als Missionar mit einem ständigen Lächeln auf den Lippen, mit einem großzügigen Herzen insbesondere gegenüber den Bedürftigen und Entwurzelten.

Es ist daher kein Zufall, wenn nach seinem Tod gerade in Pittsburgh die Gläubigen begannen, seiner Fürsprache Gebetserhörungen zuzuschreiben.

Getreu dem redemptoristischen Charisma waren sein Lebensstil und seine Sprache von Einfachheit geprägt. Die Darstellungen in seinen Predigten, die reich an biblischen Inhalten waren, wurden gerne gehört und fanden auch bei Ungebildeten Verständnis. Ein ständiges Charakteristikum seines Apostolats war die Katechese für Kinder. Diese Tätigkeit schätzte er nicht nur besonders, er betrachtete sie auch als unentbehrlich für das Wachstum einer Pfarrgemeinde.

1854 wurde er von Pittsburgh nach Baltimore versetzt, dann nach Cumberland (1857) und Annapolis (1862); an allen diesen Orten war er in der Pfarrseelsorge tätig.

In Cumberland und Annapolis wurde ihm auch die Aufgabe des Erziehers als Präfekt der Studenten übertragen. Auch in dieser Stellung hat er nicht auf die wichtigen Eigenschaften des freundlichen und fröhlichen Hirten vergessen. Er war in kluger Weise immer für die Bedürfnisse der jungen Menschen da und trug Sorge für ihre wissenschaftliche Ausbildung. Vor allem aber war er bestrebt, in die Herzen der künftigen Redemptoristenmissionare Begeisterung, Opferfreudigkeit und apostolischen Eifer für das geistliche und leibliche Wohl der Menschen einzupflanzen.

Als im Jahre 1860 Bischof Michael O’Connor die Diözese verließ, empfahl er P. Seelos als den für seine Nachfolge geeignetsten Priester. In einem Brief an Papst Pius IX. brachte Franz Xaver jedoch seine mangelnde Eignung für diese verantwortungsvolle Aufgabe zum Ausdruck und bat, „von dieser Belastung verschont zu werden". Er war äußerst zufrieden, als ein anderer Priester zum Bischof von Pittsburgh bestellt wurde.

Im Gefolge des Ausbruchs eines Bürgerkriegs wurden 1863 neue Gesetze über den Militärdienst erlassen, die alle Männer verpflichteten, sich zur Verfügung zu stellen. Seelos, der Oberer des Redemptoristenseminars war, begab sich nach Washington zu Präsident Abraham Lincoln und bat ihn, die Studenten der Kongregation vom Militärdienst zu befreien. Lincoln war, den Worten Seelos‘ zufolge, äußerst entgegenkommend und versprach, alles in seiner Macht Stehende zu tun. Tatsächlich mußten die Studenten nicht an die Front ziehen.

Nachdem ein übereifriger Mitbruder Seelos beschuldigt hatte, den jungen Menschen gegenüber zu nachgiebig und nicht genügend auf Strenge bedacht zu sein, wurde er vom Amt des Präfekten abgesetzt und widmete sich in den Jahren 1863-1866 der Wandermission. Er predigte auf englisch und deutsch in den Staaten Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island und Wisconsin.

Nach einer kurzen Zeit der Pfarrseelsorge in Detroit (Michigan) wurde er 1866 der Kommunität von New Orleans (Louisiana) zugeschrieben. Auch hier, als Pfarrer der Kirche Maria Himmelfahrt, wurde er bekannt als immer fröhlich verfügbar und besonders eifrig im Einsatz für die Ärmsten und Verlassensten. Wie an anderen Orten wurde auch hier seinem Gebet besondere Wirksamkeit bei Gott zugeschrieben.

Nach dem Plane Gottes war jedoch seinem Wirken in New Orleans nur eine kurze Zeitspanne beschieden. Im September zog er sich, ermüdet von vielen Besuchen bei an Gelbfieberkranken selbst diese Krankheit zu. Nach mehreren Wochen geduldigen und frohen Leidens ging er am 4. Oktober 1867 ins ewige Leben ein. Er hatte eine Lebenszeit von 48 Jahren und neun Monaten erreicht.

SOURCE : http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20000409_beat-Seelos_ge.html

Voir aussi : https://seelos.org/historical-timeline/

https://www.neworleans.com/listing/national-shrine-of-blessed-francis-xavier-seelos/32647/

https://catholicism.org/blessed-seelos.html

 https://www.heiligenlexikon.de/BiographienF/Franz_Xaver_Seelos.html

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/blessed-francis-xavier-seelos/

http://jesusthrumary.blogspot.com/2016/10/oct-5-2016-blessed-francis-xavier-seelos.html

https://www.lifesiteministries.org/tophers-thought-of-the-day/archives/10-2012