Above photo used with permission of the Baltimore Redemptorists-Its shows the late ,Father Carl W.Hoegerl C.Ss.R. who was responsible for having Seelos beatified after he wrote the "Positio super Vita, Virtibus et Fama Sanctitatis" and it led to Seelos being Baetified.The photo above shows Father Carl with Pope John Paul II   during the Beatification Mass on 9 April 2000 , which he concelebrated with the Holy Father

U.S. Seelos Shrine Newsletter

Subscribe to the monthly Seelos Shrine newsletter

Newsletter Archives

Parish Priest of the Füssen Partnership of Churches,which includes the Parish of St Mang,told "Seelos in Füssen" that on Sunday 11th January 2026,five priests will be travelling from America to Füssen.The priests will concelebrate Holy Mass in St Mang Basilica and present to the Parish a relic of Blessed Seelos.The Parish where Seelos was born on 11th January 1819 already has an official 1st class relic, but no other relic of this great son of Füssen who spent half his life serving German imigrants on the American Missions.Seelos in Füssen is endeavoring to find out the names of our American visitors and also what the relic will be.We will inform our readers as and when those who are in charge of the National Seelos Shrine in New Orleans reply to our requests for more information about the visit which will mark the 207th birthday and Baptismal day of the town`s beloved son.

Photos above show-1) Batismal Font where on 11th January 1819,Francis Xavier Seelos was baptised the day of his birth

2)Plaque on the house in the Spitalgasse where he was born

3)The house where Seelos was born

https://files.constantcontact.com/ea67a4dd701/e14e2a66-def6-4685-9ee5-e340ab102829.pdf?rdr=true

©Paul Schwartz

Father Michael Tix used to be Parish Priest of St John the Baptist,Savage.In this article printed in the Catholic Spirit, 24th October 2025,Father Tix tells readers about Joey Schwartz whose cancer battle we wrote about here

Read the article by Father Tix at https://www.thecatholicspirit.com/only-jesus/celebrating-the-saints/

© Paul Schwartz

The Catholic Parishes of St Mang,Acht Selikeiten,St Peter & St Paul,Hopfen am See & St Walburga,Weißensee make up the Parish Cummunity in Füssen.Every month they publish a Parish Newsletter as well as having an online Social Media prescence on Facebook and Instagram and also their own website.

   Thanks to Sabrina Tiedke our website report on the recent Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Feastday Mass combined with the German Havest Festival celebration has been published in German on the website and will also be published in the November Edition of the Parish Newsletter.

To View the online version follow this link- Erntedank, Franz-Xaver-Seelos und Kirchencafé - Pfarreiengemeinschaft Füssen

The main Altar with Harvest Festival gifts and The Seelos Pennant hanging above the Altar

The 1030hrs Mass on Sunday 5th October 2025 in St Mang Basilica,Füssen was celebrated by Parish Priest Father Frank Deuring.He was assisted by our  Deacon,Fredl Hofmann.This year the Feast of Seelos fell on a Sunday which just happened  to be Harvest Festival Sunday here in Germany. Father Deuring welcomed the many people who came and then proceeded to bless the Harvest gifts which adorned the front of the Altar.After this Michaela Plitzner,Petra Pfau & Sabine Müller took it in turns to tell the congregation about the life of Blessed Seelos and pointed out some of his virtues.

Photos-During Blessed Seelos Mass.Photo on the right © Michaela Plitzner

During his sermon,Father Deuring spoke about gifts,especially the gift of life.He also tied in how Blessed Seelos who was born in Füssen,11th January 1819, lived this great gift from God-Life.

The bidding prayers were read by the same three women who told us about Seelos`s life earlier,they included intercessions to Blessed Seelos for the problems which we face in our lives and the problems affecting the world in general.

The music for the Mass was provided by the Sunday Singers who chose really joyful hymns reflecting the life of Seelos who was given the nickname-"The Cheerful Ascetic"

The Sunday Singers Parish Group(Above)

The Priest and Deacon give each other the Seelos Healing Blessing/Members of the congregation are blessed

After Mass Father Deuring and Deacon Hofmann gave individual blessings for healing to all those who wanted to recieve the blessing.It took 20 minutes for them to bless the large number who wanted the blessing

The congregation waiting for their Seelos Healing Blessing

After the Seelos Healing Blessing many of the congregation enjoyed a welcome cup of coffee and biscuits in the Church Porch.

Photo-Dr Miriam Rosenthal-English

The Feast of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos this year falls on the German Harvest Festival Sunday. Füssen is the only place in the whole of Germany apart from Redemptorist Churches which celebrate his Feast Day.The above photo shows the main Altar in St Mang Basilica the night before  his Feast Day 2025

Photos below-The Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos located on the left hand side of the church at the back

                       The font where Blessed Seelos was Baptised the Day of his birth 11th January 1819,which is located down the steps in the middle of the Basilica at the back.  

1) Trinity Stores marks Blessed Seelos Feast day with a painting by Brenda Nippert- https://trinitystores.com/blogs/news/oct-5-bl-francis-xavier-seelos-%C2%A9-artwork-by-brenda-nippert

2)The Holy Redeemer Foundation is the parent company that oversees all the productions, activities, and administration of the media ministry on behalf of the Redemptorist Province of Bangalore. There Facebook page celebrated the Feast of Blessed Seelos-  https://www.facebook.com/rmc.bangalore/posts/-meet-blessed-francis-xavier-seelos-a-missionary-with-a-heart-of-gold-born-in-ge/1282858887194280/

3)In the Philippines,the Bacloran Church celebrated Holy Mass in honout of their fellow Redemptorist-  Baclaran Church: Memorial of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, Priest

4)Divine Mercy for America posted, Divine Mercy Prayer Meeting - Oct 5 - St Faustina & Bl Francis Xavier Seelos, Pray for Us!

5)  Amy Welborn on her blog, Charlotte was Both remembered her visit to the Seelos Shrine in New Orleans and included some photos as well- https://amywelborn.wordpress.com/2025/10/05/sunday-saints/

6) The Catholic Marriage Movement chose Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos as their Saint of the Day

7) Redemptorists International posted the following-ENGLISH https://www.cssr.news/2025/10/5-october-memorial-of-blessed-francis-xavier-seelos-2/

ITALIAN https://www.cssr.news/italian/2025/10/5-ottobre-memoria-del-beato-francesco-saverio-seelos-4/

SPANISH https://www.cssr.news/spanish/2025/10/5-de-octubre-memoria-del-beato-francisco-javier-seelos-4/

8)  PadreIdi.com presebted the dollowing video-

9) St Gerald Majella Church Baton Rouge Newsletter- https://container.parishesonline.com/bulletins/14/1558/20251005B.pdf

10)  The Trinco Suman Netcafe in Sri Lanka posted the following

11)  Amazing Catechists presented Seelos in their Saints & Feasts of the week at https://amazingcatechists.com/tag/bl-francis-xavier-seelos/

12) Spiritdaily.org went with a blast from the past and dug this out of their archives- https://spiritdaily.org/blog/archives-a-gorgeous-new-orleans-church/

13)Private persons posted there own videos as well

14) Archbishop of New Orleans, Gregory Michael Aymond, in his articöe in the Clarion Herald entitled "Missionaries of  Hope Amongst the Peoples" mentions Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos-  https://clarionherald.org/news/missionaries-of-hope-among-the-peoples

15) Peggy Scott Laborde,WYES-TV Senior Producer and regional Emmy Award Winner,mentioned Blessed Seelos in her Young Catholic Professionals speech on 21 October.

https://www.facebook.com/ycpneworleans/posts/-youre-invited-join-us-for-an-inspiring-evening-at-the-executive-speaker-series-/1207422184750168/

https://files.constantcontact.com/ea67a4dd701/5a80d84c-e2bd-4e32-a85b-c0b2738278a5.pdf?rdr=true

The National Shrine of St Peter & Paul in Cumberland,Maryland is where Blessed Seelos was posted twice. It is partt of the Our Lady of the Mountains Parish in the town. David & Paula Schoenadel are very keen gardeners and have made it a goal to make what is the best Seelos Prayer Garden in the world.It is a place of beauty and peace,where one can unwind from the worries of the world in the Company of Blessed Seelos,Our Mother Mary and many other Saints who have been placed in this spiritual oasis in the middle of Cumberland. We thank Paula Schoenadel for sending us this upodate of life at the Shrine and the Seelos Prayer Garden.

ALL PHOTOS COPYRIGHT DAVID & PAULA SCHOENADEL-CUMBERLAND

The Parish & Shrine are now in the hands of the Capuchins.The Church having been built by St John Neumann and origionally run by the Redemptorists. The order are celebrating 150 years serving the Cumberland community on 1st November.

The following Parishes are just some where you can celebrate the Feast of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos in October this year!

ST MANG BASILICA FÜSSEN

SUNDAY 5th October 2025  1030hrs Mass in Thanksgiving for 25th Anniversary of Beatification of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos and Harvest Festival, After Mass individual Blessings will be given.

Celebrant :Father Joshi Sebastian Valikulath MCBS

ST GERALD MAJELLA CHURCH-BATON ROUGE,LOUISIANA

4th October 2025  1600hrs Seelos Healing Mass

5th October 2025  0800hrs & 1000hrs Seelos Healing Mass

https://container.parishesonline.com/bulletins/14/1558/20250907B.pdf

ST MARY´S ASSUMPTION CHURCH,NEW ORLEANS-NATIONAL SHRINE OF BLESSED FRANCIS XAVIER SEELOS

SUNDAY 5th OCTOBER   1500hrs  SEELOS HEALING MASS IN VIETNAMESA

SUNDAY 11th OCTOBER 1600hrs SEELOS HEALING MASS IN ENGLISH

Celebrant Fr. John Collins, C.Ss.R. Provincial, Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province

SHRINE OF ST. PETER & ST.PAUL- CUMBERLAND,MARYLAND

WEDNESDAY 8th OCTOBER 1730hrs Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Confessions                                                       1830hrs BLESSED SEELOS HEALING MASS

https://files.constantcontact.com/ea67a4dd701/6e88d919-83ff-494a-8777-46dca25cbba9.pdf?rdr=true

 Pope Leo XIV received a first-class relic of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos from the Redemptorists during a private audience on June 26, 2025. The gift was presented by Br. Larry Lujan, C.Ss.R., General Consultor, on behalf of the National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos in New Orleans.The full story can be read in the August Edition of Seelos News

The article can be found on pages 16-19 in the FREE DIGITAL EDITION

https://www.liguorian.org/july-august-2025-liguorian-free-digital-edition/

https://files.constantcontact.com/ea67a4dd701/0b4ca959-e5e2-4dee-bdbd-9909f0ae2606.pdf?rdr=true

Since May 22nd 2016, Transfiguration Catholic Church in Oakland, Minnesota, U.S.A. has had a first class relic of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos in the Altar of Sacrifice.More information can be found at https://transfigurationmn.org/photo-album#tabContent_6880492

Parish Website:-https://www.transfigurationmn.org/

https://files.constantcontact.com/ea67a4dd701/53a994e8-c3ec-44af-9ffd-e769ea0e19b7.pdf?rdr=true

Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Biloxi, MS

360 Lameuse St, Biloxi, MS 39530 Phone: (228) 273-4281

Blessed Seelos Parish in Biloxi are making a Memorial Brick Walkway

BLESSED SEELOS MEMORIAL BRICK WALKWAY You can purchase a personalized memorial brick that will be engraved with your cherished memory. These bricks will be proudly displayed as part of a lasting tribute to the community and moments that mean the most to you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to create a lasting symbol of your connection to these beloved places. ENGRAVED BRICK DETAILS: The bricks are 4” X 8”. The cost is $100 per brick

To buy a brick click the link below 

https://www.seelosbiloxi.com/blessed-seelos-memorial-brick-walkway/

https://files.constantcontact.com/ea67a4dd701/5a482fa2-6740-47be-893b-ba7c270ed853.pdf?rdr=true

https://files.constantcontact.com/ea67a4dd701/c82c28e7-cccc-46d0-8417-b03eefd46323.pdf?rdr=true

The 25th Anniversary of the Beatification of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos was remembered in both Füssen in Germany where he was born and in New Orleans,U.S.A. where he died.

 On April 9th in Füssen, Deacon Fredl Hofmann presented an account of his life in Seeloshaus here in Füssen where over 20 people gathered to hear him. Deacon Hofmann knows more about Blessed Seelos and his life in Füssen than any other person alive. The evening started at 1900hrs when Parish Priest Father Frank Deuring told us a little about our great son of Füssen Francis Xavier Seelos. He went on to introduce the Deacon who then presented us with the life of Blessed Seelos in his own words and through slides. Mentioning how when he visited the Shrine in New Orleans he also assisted as Deacon during Holy Mass at St Mary`s Assumption dispite not understanding English at all!

He also showed those in the room various items connected with the blessed including a book which belonged to Seelos when he lived in the town.

To end the Evening Father Deuring told us that he had been in contact with Father Aaron Meszaros, Director of the National Shrine of Blessed Seelos in New Orelans who was amazed that we did not have a relic of Blessed Seelos here in Füssen and that he would look into trying to get one for the Parish!

In New Orleans they remembered with a 9 week Novena to Blessed Seelos,Two special healing Masses the Sunday before, One in English and the other in Spanish. 

They also have a new limited edition 25th Anniversary booklet on sale.

https://seelos.org/product/seelos-beatification-25th-anniversary-commemorative-booklet/

Below the ENGLISH healing Mass.

https://files.constantcontact.com/ea67a4dd701/9c9a8737-9a76-4ec1-b9c0-20258378455d.pdf?rdr=true

Facebook post above of the new murals (Left)    Post on page 6 of the Parish Bulletin for 23rd March 2025 (Right)

St Joseph Catholic Church, 100 Church Lane, Cockeysville, MD,U.S.A. 

WEBSITE:https://www.sjpmd.org/    FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/sjchurchmd​     INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/sjchurchmd/  X:https://x.com/sjchurchmd   YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8Luc0dyxAEKTX_HTpM88MA

Two Louisiana Churches are arranging their 2nd Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos in New Orleans. St Peter Catholic Church in Reserve & St Hubert Catholic Church in Garyville will be visiting the Shrine on Thursday 10th April 2025. Those Parishioners wanting to go have until 8th April to confirm they are going.

WEBSITE:https://st-peter-reserve.org/  FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064893666421

Find out more about The Station of the Cross Catholic Media Network-https://thestationofthecross.com/

The Simple Truth with Jim Havens- https://sites.libsyn.com/319859/new-orleans-martyr-of-charity-blessed-francis-xavier-seelos-3525

A historic Redemptorist Parish famed for its stain glass windows has been given a $500,000 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. On the Parish website of St Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church, St Louis, Missouri,  better know as the "Rock" they are proud to let everyone know that in 1866 Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos preached a Parish Mission there. The Parish is proud of its Black Congregation and in 1922 they made history by starting a weekly Novena in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

The grant they have been given will be used to restore the stained glass window which were created by Meyer & Company from Munich, Germany in 1904.

More on the story can be found at the Black Catholic Messenger website- https://www.blackcatholicmessenger.org/rock-church-restoration-grant/amp/

The Cathedral of St Joseph in Baton Rouge administers the Sacrament of the Sick every month on the last Sunday of the month after the 1030hrs Mass.

The following is taken from the Cathedral website-

"This "Sacrament of the Sick" can be received by Catholics over the age of 7 who are suffering from either chronic or acute serious illness, facing major surgery, or are significantly enfeebled by old age. It is NOT a "once in a lifetime" event, but can be repeated when the illness is prolonged or becomes more serious.

The Redemptorist Fathers have loaned to the Cathedral, two, relics of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, C.Ss.R., who ministered in an especially effective way to the citizens of New Orleans during the massive yellow fever outbreaks there in the mid-1800s. In fact, Blessed Seelos - who was known as the "smiling saint" even when he was alive - has not yet been canonized a saint officially, but his intercession before God is powerful and as part of our monthly administration of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick a special blessing is given with these relics. We hope that our prayers and devotion will hasten his cause for canonization!

Please remember to invite your friends and family members who are eligible to receive this Sacrament to accompany you for this special time of prayer and blessing!"

https://files.constantcontact.com/ea67a4dd701/1154170c-1bb3-43ce-af43-1d803239ee1d.pdf?rdr=true

USE THE FREE PDF NOVENNA-https://seelos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Seelos-Novena-Booklet.pdf

ORDER THE NOVENNA BOOKLET(ENGLISH)-https://seelos.org/product/novena-in-honor-of-seelos/

ORDER THE NOVENNA BOOKLET(DEUTSCH-https://dominusverlag.de/shop/novene-zum-seligen-franz-xaver-seelos/

MORE EVENTS PLANNED BY THE NATIONAL SEELOS CENTER NEW ORLEANS FOR THIS YEAR-https://seelos.org/beatification-novena/

https://files.constantcontact.com/ea67a4dd701/de2a94cf-1f8e-484b-aab8-31238df13a01.pdf?rdr=true

22.44cm of snow has paralyzed New Orleans and especially the National Seelos Shrine which is located there! Reports coming into Seelos in Füssen say that the City is shut down and there is no snow clearing equipment!So the Shrine will remain shutdown till at least Friday!

Father Aaron Meszaros C.Ss.R. Director of the National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos and Father Chun Tran C.Ss.R. Parish Priest of  St Mary`s  Assumption Church of  St Alphonsus Parish issued a joint statement 2nd January 2025 about the New Years Eve terrorist attack that killed 15 people and injured many more.

The statement can be read in full at https://seelos.org/joint-statement-january-1-2025/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHmfiZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZne_52i4KegjrEllqkU7Aoul75Y8vyJXyu4o4CcmIqiF1YCTkzCg-m3DA_aem_EFULUQJ5utU3QZdsZ6yNFA

This article has been updated from 1st October and we thank Doctor Robert Worden for the photo below of himself in Annapolis, Maryland in the courtyard of St Mary`s seated next too a life size statue of Blessed Seelos.

©Robert Worden

The Archdiocese of Baltimore Media outlet, The Catholic Review has a news item about a new book which has been written by Doctor Robert Worden who is  a retired historian and a Parishioner at St Mary`s Church in Annapolis,Maryland for over 50 years. It was thanks to his first book "St Mary`s Church in Annapolis,Maryland:A Sesquicentennial History 1853-2003" given to me by Monsignor Karlheinz Knebel that Seelos in Füssen came to light! Up until that time I had never heard of Blessed Seelos and after reading the few pages about him, I was hooked on this Son of Füssen who gave his life serving the Lord and the immigrant German communities who had moved to America.

Seelos in Füssen`s signed copy of Doctor Robert Worden`s first Book

In his first book there is a few pages dedicated to the American Civil War. The New book entitled "Soldiers of the Cross:Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos and the Catholic Community in Annapolis During the Civil War"  is now available for sale and you can find out more HERE

Copies of the book can be brought at the following links

U.S.A.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/soldiers-of-the-cross-robert-worden/1146219151

https://www.amazon.com/Soldiers-Cross-Catholic-Community-Annapolis/dp/1662953100

Soldiers of the Cross book-Now Available
St. Mary's is proud to announce the publication of Parish Archivist and Historian Robert Worden's new book, Soldiers of the Cross: Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos and the Catholic Community in Annapolis During the Civil War. Click the link below to order your copy. Once you have placed your order, your copy will be available for pickup in the St. Mary's Parish Office,109 Duke of Gloucester, Monday to Friday from 0900hrs to 1500hrs   https://stmarysannapolis.myschoolapp.com/page/event-detail?siteId=874&ssl=1&register=50611

ITALY

https://www.lafeltrinelli.it/libri-inglese/autori/robert-worden

©Sarah Norton/Chapel House Arts Saint Mary’s  Annapolis MD

Father Stephen T, Rehrauer  C.Ss.R has been named the new Vice-Postulator for the Canonization Cause of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos. He hails from Wisconcin and became a Redemptorist Priest in 1980.He is a former Provincial of the Redemptorist Province in Denver. He takes over the role from Father Gilbert Enderle C.Ss.R. who retired under mysterious circumstances to the St Clement Redemptorist Mission Community & Assisted Living Facility in Liguori, Missouri. The following article was posted in the Church Bulletin on the 21st April 2024 at the time of his departure.

More information about Father Stephen T, Rehrauer  C.Ss.R. the new Vice-Postulator can be found in the January issue of Seelos Center News

https://files.constantcontact.com/ea67a4dd701/695b8e54-bb76-450f-b12c-8d5a8efdf601.pdf?rdr=true

The Parish of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos in Spanish Fort, Alabama will be making a Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos in New Orleans on 11th January 2025. This just happens to be the 206th birthday and Baptismal day of Blessed Seelos who was born in Füssen, Germany.

EUCHARISTIC RENEWAL BOOKS FIDEI Publishing

BOOKS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE