SEELOS IN FÜSSEN

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We would like to thank our Deacon,Fredl Hofmann for the surpise which was awaiting us in our letter box this morning.It is much appreciated and will be read with joy and prayer.

LIMITED QUANTITY AVAILABLE: Designed and produced in New Orleans by the Seelos Shrine, this 40-page booklet includes remembrances from the April 2000 beatification ceremony, prayers for the intercession and canonization of Blessed Seelos, letters from around the world, full-page photos of the Shrine and St. Mary’s Church, and more.

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

Step away for a day this Lent and discover how God is at work in your story. Through prayer, reflection, community, Adoration, and Mass, we’ll explore the life and virtues of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos and reflect on our own spiritual journey.

All young adults ages 18 to 35 are welcome to this retreat, a space to experience renewal, deeper faith, and meaningful connection.Only 25 places left so book soon!

📍 Meet at the Seelos Shrine Welcome Center
🕤 9:30am

What to expect:
9:30–10:00am Check-In + Light Breakfast
10:15–10:45am Session 1: “How the Saints Became Saints: The Human Side”
11–11:45am Session 2: “Your Life Is a Story: Mapping Your Spiritual Journey”
11:45–1:45pm Lunch/community time/prayer time
1:45–2:30pm Interactive Activity: "Walking with Seelos - A Virtues Path"
2:45–3:45pm Holy Hour of Adoration (with optional confessions)
4pm Closing Mass

Suggested donation $20 at the door.

Questions? Feel free to call the shrine office at (504) 525-2495 or message one of the hosts of this event.

https://partiful.com/e/wVmasYsuvHFhOzzyncSg?fbclid=IwY2xjawPfJ2ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeEv5g5PVV8Qd2hkuIxG90ZQa6drTltWEjv1BKFFaeZs6biNURUbKq_ZZt-KU_aem_UQ4qnypw1V7XhiY_Ajls6Q

PHOTOS BELOW COPYRIGHT© KATHOLISCHE SONNTAGS ZEITUNG AUGSBURG-https://www.katholische-sonntagszeitung.de/epaper/epaper-archiv-katholische-sonntagszeitung-fuer-das-bistum-augsburg/

Photo Copyright© National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos

During the recent Mass in New Orleans for the 207th birthday of Francis Xavier Seelos.Father Stephen Rehrauer, S.Ss.R. Vice Postulator for the Cause of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos gave an update to the gathered congregation  on how the cause was proceeding.He concelebrated Holy Mass at St Mary`s Assumption Church,New Orleans with Fr. Stephen Benden, C.Ss.R. Chaplain, National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos & Fr. Chung Tran, C.Ss.R. Pastor, St. Alphonsus Parish.

One miracle has been submitted to the Vatican and an additional three miracles are being prepared.

Father  Stephen Rehrauer, S.Ss.R. Vice Postulator for the Cause of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos-Photo Copyright© National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos

You can hear what he had to say in the video below

Photo Copyright© National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos

ALL PHOTOS© The Friends of the Shrine of Saints Peter & Paul

The Shrine of St. Peter & St.Paul in Cumberland,Maryland U.S.A.Founded in 1848 by Redemptorist Bishop John Neumann, who later became America’s first male saint, The Shrine of Saints Peter and Paul served the growing German Catholic population in Cumberland at the time.Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos served as Pastor of the Parish & Prefect for the students from 1857-1862. After the departure of the Redemptorists and then the Carmelite Friars, the Capuchin Franciscan Friars arrived in 1875 and have served The Shrine of Saints Peter and Paul Church since then.It is now part of the Parish of "Our Lady of the Mountains" in Cumberland and is looked after by a sterling group of volunteers called "The Friends of the Shrine of Saints Peter & Paul"  They also have a Facebook group called "Save the Shrine of SS Peter & Paul"

    Joe George who is on the Board of Directors recently posted the following on their Facebook site "Dear Shrine Supporters,Continuing our efforts to preserve, maintain, & protect the Shrine, as part of our promise to you, we recently had “The Drone Guy USA” do an inspection of the roof and steeple from above. The company provided a detailed report & photos. While overall the inspection was good, there were several areas that needed attention. We immediately contacted Hite Roofing for repairs. You should start to see their crane & workers there later this week. Please use caution around any work zone. We are having some missing slates replaced, some damaged snowboards replaced, & a copper ridge cap to the roof. Of course, none of this would be possible without your ongoing support. Thank you! Here’s a few of the photos from the report.

ALL PHOTOS© The Friends of the Shrine of Saints Peter & Paul

PHOTO COPYRIGHT©Mark & Monica Surprenant

Seelos in Füssen reached out to Mark Surprenant to ask why did they decide to gift their precious 1st class relic of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos to our Parish-here is their story

On September 15, 2002, Monica suffered a very serious brain aneurysm at the age of 49 while living and practicing law in New Orleans, Louisiana. Although Monica survived the initial rupture, she experienced a life-threatening brain seizure eight days thereafter. Monica's treating neurosurgeon told Mark that he and his medical team had done everything they could do medically for Monica but the prognosis for survival was very poor. Therefore, he advised Mark to prepare himself and his family for the significant potential that Monica would most likely not survive much longer.

At that point, one of the secretaries in Monica's law office asked Mark if he would like Monica to be blessed with a relic of Fr. Seelos. Since Mark was originally from Rhode Island, he had never previously heard anything about Fr. Seelos. Mark quickly agreed to the blessing. One of the volunteers from the National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos in New Orleans came that same day to the hospital to bless Monica. Within one to two hours after she was blessed, her doctor said it appeared she was amazingly starting to show some improvement even though nothing further had been done for her medically from the time she was blessed until this point where she was starting to show some improvement. During her remaining five weeks in the hospital, Monica continued to show steady improvement until she was discharged with speech aphasia which prevented her from further working as a lawyer. However,  Monica and Mark attribute her miraculous recovery from near certain death to her now enjoying a wonderful life with her family and friends to the powerful intercession of Fr. Seelos.

After Monica was discharged from the hospital in late October 2002, Mark went to the Seelos Shrine in New Orleans to thank its staff and volunteers for the blessing of Monica and their continuing prayers for her. At that point, one of the volunteers, Jack Pringle, upon hearing Monica's story, took his own first-class relic of Fr. Seelos out of his pocket and handed it to Mark for Monica.  This first-class relic of Fr. Seelos remained in Mark and Monica's possession since that day in 2002.

Mark and Monica went to the Basilica of St. Mang for Christmas Eve Mass in 2024. During that visit, Mark realized that the Basilica did not have a first-class relic of Fr. Seelos. Therefore, upon returning to New Orleans in January 2025,  Mark began a discussion with Fr. Aaron Meszaros, the Director of the National Shrine of Blessed Francis Seelos in New Orleans, about potentially donating Monica's first class-relic of Fr. Seelos, along with an appropriate reliquary, to the Basilica with this donation occurring during the weekend of January 10-11, 2026, when Fr. Seelos's 207^th birthday would be celebrated at the Basilica.  Mark attributes this donation becoming a reality because of the excellent working relationship which developed between Fr. Aaron Meszaros and Fr. Frank Deuring, the pastor of the Basilica, plus the fantastic assistance provided by Ken Messina and Julia Messina, both residents of Germany.  The donation was finalized during the beautiful Mass and Relic Presentation held during the Vigil Mass on January 10, 2026, with the relic now permanently located in the Seelos Shrine in the Basilica for the prayerful devotion of all  

Videos copyright© Mark & Monica Surprenant

Videos copyright© Mark & Monica Surprenant

The Parish website for the Füssen Catholic Partnership of churches,Katholisch in Füssen has published a news article online at https://www.katholisch-fuessen.de/aktuelles-magazin/reliquie-des-seligen-franz-xaver-seelos-1191  It is well worth looking at as it has new photos in their coverage.

On their recent visit to Germany,just what did our American Redemptorists find to fill their days? One might have expected them to be based out of Gars am Inn the nearest Redemptorist house here in Germany.Instead it was arranged for them to stay with Our Local Franciscans here in Füssen.

On one of the days they took a trip to Augsburg to visit the Cathedral and also the Grammar School where Seelos studied.

Then on another day,suitably clothed,they were given a tour of Füssen by our Deacon,Fredl Hofmann.The Deacon is a mine of information when it comes to Füssen and

Blessed Seelos,no one has more knowledge of these subjects than him.Our guests were fortunate to have the number 1 as their guide.

Reverend Aaron Meszaros,C.Ss.R.-Director of the National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos in New Orleans,Rev Thien Hoang,C.Ss.R.-Parish Priest of St Michael`s Chicago,Ken Messina,former Redemptorist seminarian and Very Reverend Kevin Zubel C.Ss.R.-Provincial Superior of the Redemptorists of Denver Province outside the house where Seelos was born. PHOTO©Ken & Julie Messina

Thanks to Julie & Ken Messina we are able to show you a few photos of the memorial visit. ALL PHOTOS BELOW ARE THEIR COPYRIGHT AND USED WITH PERMISSION

Photo below shows Deacon Fredl Hofmann with our Redemptorist visitors

Photo below shows our American guests with Father Frank Deuring,Parish Priest with the deacon and Julie Messina the interpreter. 

Phot below shows Deacon Hofmann holding the relic,He is with Ken & Julie Messina

Photo below-Deacon Hofmann with Julie Messina the interpreter for the tour

Two photos below shows Father Deuring,Deacon Hofmann with American Redemptorist visitors,Ken Messina and Mark & Monica Surprenant(Couple who donated the relic)

Thank you to Julie & Ken For these great photos.

The Allgäuer  Zeitung is the regional paper for our area of Bavaria.It has a daily section with in it called the "Füssener Blatt".This morning,12th January 2026 they have published an article by Manfred Sailer,a Parishioner within the Füssen Parish Partnership and photographer,about the handover of the relic and Relquary.ABOVE IS THE PRINT VERSION -BELOW IS THE LINK TO THE ONLINE VERSION

It can be found at https://www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de/fuessen/reliquie-des-seligen-franz-xaver-seelos-in-fuessen-uebergeben-amerikaner-bringen-knochensplitter-seines-fusses-113132384

St Mang Basilica from above the Altar

The Priests and congregation of St Mang Parish were delighted to welcome Redemptorists from the Denver Province,for Holy Mass in honour of the Baptism of the Lord and the 207th birthday and baptismal day of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos who was born here in Füssen and baptised in St Mang the same day,11th January 1819.

 House in Spitalgaße where Seelos was born & Font where he was baptised

Father Frank Deuring,Parish Priest,concelebrated the 1800hrs 1st Mass of Sunday with the following Redemptorist Priests,Very Reverend Kevin Zubel C.Ss.R.-Provincial Superior of the Redemptorists of Denver Province,Reverend Aaron Meszaros,C.Ss.R.-Director of the National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos in New Orleans, & Rev Thien Hoang,C.Ss.R.-Parish Priest of St Michael`s Chicago. Also assisting at the Mass was Deacon Fredl Hofmann. Fra.Scott Partin,C.Ss.R. was also in the sanctuary during Mass. Seated in the front row were Mark & Monica Surprenant,a couple from New Orleans who had donated the 1st class relic and reliquarry which was to be handed over by the Redemptorists on their behalf,to the Füssen Parish.

1st class relic and reliquary now part of the Seelos Shrine here in Füssen

Mass started with Father Frank Deuring,Parish Priest,introducing our guests and welcoming them to our Parish.Then two of our Parishioners,Michael Plitzner and Sabine Muller took it in turns to tell us about the virtues of Blessed Seelos. It was mentioned that Mang Seelos, Father of the Blessed was sacristan of St Mang and that Xavier,as he was called within the family served at the Altar.It was also mentioned how our Deacon here in Füssen,Fredl Hofmann had showed our guests around his hometown.No one in Füssen has more knowledge of Blessed Seelos than the deacon,so the guests were indeed honoured to have him as their guide.

Fredl Hofmann,Parish Deacon.PHOTO© Ken & Julie Messina  

Sabrina Tiedtke,sang during the Mass and she sang a very relevant hymn in English,"Here I am Lord" which was very appropiate for a Mass honouring Blessed Seelos who gave his life for others  on the American Misions.Helene von Rechenberg played the organ. During the sermon,both Father Aaron and Father Kevin talked about the life of Blessed Seelos in English. Julie Messina translated into German what they said for those in the congregation who could not understand English. 

Julie Messina,Intepreter PHOTO© Ken & Julie Messina

Sabrina Tiedtke,Alt,who sung during the Mass which included a special hymn about Blessed Seelos

Helene von Rechenberg,Parish Musical Director who played the organ and sung during Mass

After the sermon the Redemptorists handed the relic over to Father Deuring and the professional photographers who are allowed to take photos during Mass went in front of the Altar and clicked away!

Father Deuring recieves the relic from Fra Scott Partin, C.Ss.R.

After Mass was finished members of the congregation got in line to bless themselves with the relic which was being held by Father Kevin Zubel,C.Ss.R.

Dr.Miriam Rosenthal-English,who translated the Seelos Novenna from English to German, after blessing herself.Father Kevin Zubel,C.Ss.R. holds the relic of Seelos whilst people bless themselves.

Mark & Monica Surprenant in St Mang Basilica 

Mark & Monica Surprenant of New Orleans were the couple responsible for donating a 1st class relic and its reliquary of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos to the Parish of St Mang here in Füssen.The relic was handed over to Parish Priest Father Frank Deuring during the 1800hrs 1st Mass of Sunday for the Baptism of the Lord which also happened to be the day before the 207th birthday of Blessed Seelos. A group of American Redemptorists had travelled specially to Füssen for the occasion and handed over the relic on behalf of the couple.

The relic and reliquary which was donated to St Mang Parish

Francis Fest is March 15th!!! Be a Sponsor Levels range $250 to $2500 Several promotional perks And Festival Day activities included In each level of SPONSORSHIP! Forms can be found in the entry or contact Theresa West 251-288-4500

https://www.francisxseelos.org/

A hymn about Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos written by former Füssen teacher,Johanna Huber will be sung at the 1800hrs, 1st Mass of Sunday this Saturday in St Mang Basilica.

Photos-1)Helene von Rechenberg,Parish Musical Director  2)Johanna Huber partying with some of her children`s choir  3) Albert Frey,Former Parish Musical Director

4) Dr. Miriam Rosenthal-English,Soprano and responsible for translation of Seelos Novena into German was origionally chosen to sing until a throat infection put paid to that. 5)Sabrina Tiedtke,Alt, who will sing instead of Miriam Rosenthal-English 

Johanna Huber was a daily Mass attendee and had a great love of music and Blessed Seelos.She used to run children`s choirs and taught them to sing the Seelos hymn with herself accompanying  on her guitar.She died at the age of 83 in 2019 after suffering from cancer. The song has been chosen by Helene von Rechenberg,Parish Musical Director for inclusion in the special Mass which will see a few visitors from the Redemptorist order present at the Mass.Johanna wrote the words to the hymn and our former Parish Musical Director Albert Frey composed the melody. It had been hoped that Dr.Miriam Rosenthal-English would sing the hymn for our guests but she has come down with a throat infection and is unable to sing.Sabrina Tiedtke will sing in her place.

The American Redemptorists are visiting Füssen to present the Parish of St Mang,where Blessed Seelos was baptised the day of his birth,with a relic of Blessed Seelos donated by Mark and Monica,who are devotees of Blessed Seelos for many years and have a deep affection for him. The relic being given, along with the reliquary is a gift of theirs."The Director of the National Seelos Shrine,Father Aaron Meszaros C.Ss.R. will hand the relic to Parish Priest Father Frank Deuring during the Mass. Members of the congregation will be able to be personally blessed with the relic after the Mass

Francis Xavier Seelos, a young man from Füssen, emigrated to the New World as a missionary in 1843. He lived in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia and belonged to the Redemptorist Order. He died of yellow fever at the young age of 48. In 2000, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II. What we know about him here today was discovered by his great-grandniece. Watch this report from 2000 as part of the summer series "Do You Remember?"

Franz Xaver Seelos, ein junger Mann aus Füssen wanderte 1843 als Missionar in die Neue Welt aus. Er lebte in Baltimore, Pittsburgh und Philadelphia und gehörte dem Redemptoristenorden an. Er starb im Alter von nur 48 Jahren an Gelbfieber. Im Jahr 2000 wurde er von Papst Johannes Paul II. selig gesprochen. Was man hier bei uns inzwischen über ihn weiß, hat seine Urgroßnichte herausgefunden. Sehen Sie hier im Rahmen der Sommerreihe "Woisch no" einen Bericht aus dem Jahr 2000.

https://bistum-augsburg.de/Generalvikariat/Abteilung-Oeffentlichkeitsarbeit-und-Medien/Videoarchiv/Woisch-no-Pater-Franz-Xaver-Seelos-aus-Fuessen_id_0

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EUCHARISTIC RENEWAL BOOKS FIDEI Publishing

BOOKS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE

German version of the Novena of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos.Also contains information on his life including information not seen elsewhere!

https://dominusverlag.de/shop/novene-zum-seligen-franz-xaver-seelos/