Born in Füssen, Bavaria, in 1809, Francis Xavier Seelos was well educated and had a special gift for languages, but his most outstanding characteristic was his humility. He was ordained a Redemptorist priest in Baltimore, Maryland in 1844. Always loyal to the Order’s charism, he was at heart a “missionary with a constant smile on his lips and a generous heart, particularly toward the needy and outcasts,” his followers said. His confessional was always open to everyone, and he heard confessions in German, English, and French, from anyone, regardless of their ethnicity. As a priest, he was distinguished for his “simple lifestyle and language,” so much so that his sermons were heard and understood even by the most simple. Of all the souls entrusted to his care, the ones he was especially fond of were the children. He considered the catechesis of children “fundamental for the Christian growth of the parish community.”
In 1860, when Bishop Michael O’Connor of Pittsburgh was leaving the diocese, he “nominated” Seelos as his most reliable successor. However, Father Seelos wrote Pope Pius IX, begging him to free him “from this act of God.” When the Civil War broke out in the United States new laws were passed regarding military service. In 1863 all men were obliged to be available for active duty. At the time, Seelos was Superior of the Redemptorist Seminary. He went to Washington to meet President Abraham Lincoln and was successful in releasing the Seminary students from being sent to the front. Seelos lost his position as Prefect of Students shortly thereafter, for being “too lenient” with youth. As a result, from 1863 to 1866 Francis Xavier Seelos devoted himself to itinerant missionary work, preaching in English and German in many parts of the United States. He died in New Orleans on October 4, 1867 of yellow fever at only 48 years of age, spending several weeks “patiently and light-heartedly tolerating the illness.” His mortal remains are in our neighboring parish of St. Mary’s Assumption at the National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos.
