"WANDERTAG MIT SEELOS!"(27 July 2011)

A class of German schoolgirls visited Füssen,Bavaria today as part of their walking day(Wandertag).This is a normal school day but the children either go for a walk in the local area to see different natural or cultural places of interest.Sometimes schools go further afield for the day.So it was with the 25 year 7 pupils from a Catholic School somewhere in Southern Germany.Accompanied by their teacher they arrived in Füssen at 0900hrs.The first stop on the tour was Franz Xaver Seelos Haus.Here they were shown the work of artist Otto Kobel of Seeg.They next visited the St Nicholas Krippkirche were Blessed Seelos would serve the daily morning Mass at 0730hrs before school started at 0800hrs.

A short walk from the church and the girls stood in front of the market hall.This was originally the building which housed the boys Junior School on the second floor where Francis Xavier studied with the other young boys of his age.Meandering through a small alley and along the outside of the old city walls they soon came upon the St Sebastian Church.

Within the graveyard they viewed the Seelos Family grave.On leaving the graveyard the group went into the St Stephan Franciscan Church.Their teacher explained about the barock architecture as well as pointing out the various Franciscan saints.

She mentioned that Saint Crescentia of Kaufbeuren had a grandfather who origionally came from Füssen and the children were shown the mini shrine dedicated to her in the church.Back outside the sun was shining over the city  and local mountains.

They saw the birth-house where Blessed Seelos was born(Below)

 and then visited the Spitalkirche before gathering on the bridge over the River Lech.(Below)

Here as in the other places they visited many of the girls made photos with their mobile cameras.From the bridge they were able to see the Shrine of Our Lady of the Mountain Church.Walking back towards the city centre,they looked in the courtyard of the former Benedictine Monastery.Just around the corner opposite St Mang Basilica they viewed  the house Francis Xavier lived in when his father became the sacristan of St Mang.

In the Basilica itself they were shown the Seelos Shrine and were he was baptised  as well as being informed about the Barock epoch in the Basilica.After the customary group photo it was time for relaxation in a local Italian ice cafe.

The girls finished of the day by walking to Bad Faulenbach and then had half an hour to themselves to explore the town before departing at midday on the coach back to their school.
 

PILGRIMS ERRONEOUSLY  TOLD THEY ARE VISITING FÜSSEN(30 June 2011)

US pilgrims who want to visit Füssen to see the Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos may well be in for a shock. Yet another United States Pilgrimage operator is claiming on its site to visit FÜSSEN.However closer investigation by our news team found that 206 Tours based in New York is actually visiting Hohenschwangau to see the world famous Neuschwanstein Schloss!When we pointed it out to them,Katrina Calvacca who runs the company told us "Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention and please be assured that our IT department will update the information on our sample day by day itinerary on our website and our brochures."We showed surprise that a company that brings a religious pilgrimage from America to Germany and mentions Füssen,doesn't bring the pilgrims to visit the Shrine of the great German American Priest who was born in Füssen and may well be the next canonised American saint.No comment was given to this fact. The website have already updated the itinerary for the forthcoming trips which will be in September-December periods.However they are still mentioning Füssen in the places visted at the top of the pilgrimage and tell those visiting the website that photos of St Coloman Church, Schwangau and Neuschwanstein Castle are both in Füssen.  
 

ST MANG MASS BROADCAST TO WHOLE OF GERMANY

MASS WAS BROADCAST LIVE FROM CHURCH WHERE SEELOS SHRINE IS LOCATED IN GERMANY
SUNDAY 26 JUNE BETWEEN  1005-1100hrs on DEUTSCHLAND FUNK & DEUTSCHE WELLE

THE BROADCAST FROM ST MANG BASILICA WHERE THE GERMAN SHRINE OF BLESSED FRANCIS XAVIER SEELOS IS LOCATED ONLY MENTIONS SEELOS IN THE CANON OF THE MASS-A MISSED OPPURTUNITY TO LET THE WHOLE OF GERMANY KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS GREAT LOVER OF CHRIST!

FÜSSEN TOURIST INFORMATION HAS NO MENTION OF BLESSED SEELOS ON IT WEBSITE
FÜSSEN'S OFFICIAL TOURIST WEBSITE DOES NOT HAVE ONE MENTION OF BLESSED SEELOS ON IT DISPITE MAYOR J. PROMISING TWO YEARS AGO TO CORRECT THIS OMISSION.THOUSANDS VISIT THE SEELOS SHRINE IN FÜSSEN EVERY YEAR TO PRAY FOR HIS INTERCESSION

THAT SEELOS MURAL!(3 June 2011)

We have had quiet a few pilgrimages from the United States of America in recent years visiting Füssen.However the Redemptorist Pilgrimage that came to the birthplace of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos on 12th May 2011 have discovered the Parish Social Centre!Seelos Haus is a bit off the beaten track.Most Seelos lovers visit the house where he was born,St Mang Basilica and see the house he lived in when his father was sacristan of the basilica.Then most pilgrimages do not have Dr.Robert L Worden showing them around!Dr Worden,author and archivist of St Mary's Church Annapolis had visited Füssen previously and given the then Parish Priest,Monsignor Karlheinz Knebel,on behalf of our parish,a copy of his book about St Mary's,which included a chapter on Blessed Seelos.Dr Worden tells us how he found Seelos Haus origionally."My Wife Norma and I spent 3 days in Füssen in October 2007.We actually did not meet the pastor when we presented the book, although it was passed on to him. We attended the Saturday evening Mass and met the assistant pastor, a Polish priest,(Father Kazimierz Piotrowski,former curate-ED) and Bruno, the sacristan, and one or two others (maybe the sacristan's son). They promised to pass the book on to the monsignor and in return, they gave me several booklets and postcards about Father Seelos and St. Mang's. As to the Franz Xaver Seelos Haus, we came upon it quite my happenstance. On our last morning in Füssen, we drove our automobile part way back into the old town and made a wrong turn into a little street. We found out was not leading us to where we wanted to go, so we turned the car around and drove back out and that is when we saw the beautiful mural of Blessed Seelos on the wall of a large building. This wrong turn was certainly a fortuitous mistake. We love that mural and have shown others our photos of it over the next few years. So when we returned to Füssen on May 12, after we visited the birthplace, I told our group there was another surprise to see... and my wife and I led them to the mural."

 They took photos and then returned to the United States after the pilgrimage.Then the questions began!They asked Father Byron Miller and his staff in the Seelos Center in New Orleans about the mural.Father Miller was in Füssen in 2002 and had not seen it.He asked us what we know about it.It has been there at least since 2006 when we came to Füssen.But what about its history?Prelate Karlheinz Knebel told us "The mural was painted by Otto Kobel of Seeg.He is famous for his work with the "Waal Passion Play" & in 1987  he produced "The mystery of the death of St Mang" play written by Arthur Maximilian Miller here in Füssen.Otto Kobel is also responsible for many religious works  of art which can be found in parishes throughout the area.The Mural in Füssen  is unfortunately not completed.It shows servers with Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos because the Altar servers from St Mang Basilica meet in the building once a week to play games and get to know each other better.As he worked in the southern States a coloured person was included in the mural to join other representatives of the immigrants and locals  who were in need of spiritual care. The completed mural should have shown Seelos when he lived in Füssen and also when he emigrated from Germany to the United States traveling via New York.

 

NEW SEELOS BOOK IN THE WORKS(3rd June 2011)

A new book about the life of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos during his time is Maryland is to be published soon.Dr Robert L Worden has already researched and written a book about St Mary's Church in Annapolis,Maryland.He now plans to detail the life of Blessed Seelos whilst in Maryland.

"St Mary's Church in Annapolis,Maryland.
A Sesquicentennial History .1853-2003"
Dr Robert Worden has been archivist and historian at St Mary's Annapolis,Maryland since 1982.He gained a PhD at Georgetown University in 1972.He has lived in Annapolis since 1971.In the book about St Mary's is a chapter about Blessed Seelos as a priest in the Parish.Dr.Worden told us on his

Dr Robert L Worden(R) talks with Father Daniel Francis C.Ss.R. during their recent pilgrimage to St Mang Basilica,Füssen
 recent visit to Füssen,May 2011,that he has the new project underway.He told us from his home in Annapolis 9 June 2011 "The new book will greatly expand on the section that discussed the activities of Fr. Seelos and the Redemptorists in Annapolis during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Fr. Seelos was in Annapolis from 1862 to 1863 and, using his now-published letters and other archival materials, I will write about his work among the army soldiers quartered in Annapolis, with the German immigrants in Annapolis, and with the local Catholic congregation of white and black parishioners. I expect completion in about 2 years." Father John Kingsbury CSsR,Parish Priest of St Mary's,told us  "He is our parish archivist but it is a labor of love and he is not on our paid staff."

2011 REDEMPTORIST PILGRIMAGE TO FÜSSEN(12th May 2011)

 

The Redemptorist Pilgrims standing in front of the Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos after Holy Mass which was concelebrated  by Monsignor Arthur Bastress, Redemptorist Oblate & Father Daniel Francis C.Ss.R.

Thursday 12th May at 1530 hrs saw members of the Neumann Year Pilgrimage (Germany, Austria, Czech Republic): May 10-20, 2011 celebrating Holy Mass in St Mang Basilica.The Pilgrimage led by Spiritual Director,Father Daniel Francis C.Ss.R. and Monsignor Arthur Bastress,Oblate of the Most Holy Redeemer, were on the 2nd day of their pilgrimage which is tracing Redemptorist Saints and Blessed's in Germany;Austria and The Czech Republic.
Father Daniel was professed as a Redemptorist in 1985 and ordained in 1991.He is based in the Anapolis and is in charge of the Redemptorist Office for Mission Advancement.He preaches missions and days of renewal as well as retreats for priests,and religious communities.He is a specialist on the life of Saint John Neumann who has his 200th anniversary of birth this year.Monsignor Bastress is the pastor of St Alphonsus Church in Baltimore.The only Church in the world that if Blessed Seelos is canonised that will be able to claim "2 saints as former Parish Priests" according to Monsignor Bastress.In 2009 he was enrolled as an "Oblate of the Most Holy Redeemer by Auxilary Bishop,Denis J.Maden for all the work he had done in promoting the causes of Saint John Neumann and Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos as well as his work in restoring St Alphonsus.
With these two spiritual powerhouses leading the 21 pilgirims they explored Füssen and the birthplace of Francis Xavier Seelos.They visited the house where he was born,Franz Xavier Seelos Haus,which is the Parish Social centre,saw the house he lived in whilst his father was sacristan.They also saw the baptismal font where he was baptised the day of his birth.
Monsignor Bastress was spiritually moved in the Basilica and when he entered the sacristy he saw some old albs and immediately  asked if he could wear one of them.

Monsignor Arthur Bastress, Redemptorist Oblate(R) & Father Daniel Francis C.Ss.R.(L)
At the beginning of Mass he pointed   out that these were what priests wore in the time of Blessed Seelos. Monsignor Bastress preached the sermon and it was clear how moved he was to be in the same church "where his hero" was baptised.The pilgrimage is being blogged on the Baltimore Redemptorist website
 

 

KATHOLISCHE SONNTAGS ZEITUNG FOR AUGSBURG DIOCESE PRINTS FULL PAGE ARTICLE ON SEELOS(11th May 2011)

The Catholic Sunday paper for Germany carries an interview with Father Byron Miller C.Ss.R.,Executive Director of the Seelos Center in New Orleans in its Augsburg Diocesan edition.The full page article also has photos of the centre and another mention of the newly translated Seelos Novena in German.Father Byron told us exclusively " I hope it endears more people to Father Seelos and his cause."

US REDEMPTORIST PILGRIMAGE TO FÜSSEN(4 MAY 2011)

A 2010 Pilgrimage to Füssen led by Tour Guide Julia W.(Pink Brolley) standing outside the house where Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos was born.
 Germany,Austria & the Czech Republic is the name of the Redemptorist Pilgrimage that is due to visit Füssen on 12th May 2011.21 pilgrims led by Father Daniel Francis C.Ss.R.Spiritual Director will visit the birthplace of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos here in Füssen.The Pilgrimage will follow in the footsteps of Redemptorists,Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos C.Ss.R(Germany),Blessed Kaspar Stanggassinger, C.Ss.R.(Germany) St Clement Hofbauer C.Ss.R. (Austria) & St John Neumann  C.Ss.R.(Czech Republic)
 

PONTIFF WHO BEATIFIED SEELOS NOW ALSO A BLESSED(4 May 2011)

Pope John Paul II,who in the Holy Year 2000 beatified Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos on 9th April,has himself been beatified.The Beatification took place in St peters Square on 1st April 2011,the Feast of Divine Mercy,which was especially close to his heart.His successor Pope Benedict XVI presided over the beatification ceremony.Here in Füssen Bavaria,the Vicar General of the Diocese of Augsburg,Prelate Karlheinz Knebel was chief concelebrant to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the "Kalverienburg" here in Füssen.May 1st is the Feast of the Patroness of Bavaria-Patroniae Bavariae and the Kalverienburg has the Stations of the Cross on it.It was built after Blessed Seelos left Füssen during the time secularisation was rife and the local Parish Priest Father Johann Baptist Grab decided to erect the Stations.Seelos was informed about them in a letter from his sister.
Prelate Knebel mentioned Blessed John Paul II being beatified and reminded all present that he was the pope who beatified Seelos.A group of pilgrims from the Parish were in St Peter's for the Seelos beatification. It was the largest congregation this reporter has seen on the Kalverienburg for Mass.Photos and a German report can be found HERE
In New Orleans where Blesssed Seelos died of yellow fever a healing Mass was held.The Church was packed and they joined with those in Rome spiritually.Full report can be found on the WGNO-ABC website

SEELOS NOVENA IN VIETNAMESE DUE THIS YEAR(8th April 2011)

Following on the launch of the Seelos Novena in German,which has been given publicity on Allgäu TV,Katholische Sonntags Zeitung for the Augsburg Diocese as well as an article on the Diocesan website,comes news of a new translation in Vietnamese.
Father Byron Miller,C.Ss.R.,Executive Director of the Seelos Center in New Orleans told us"I have also been working to have the Novena translated in Vietnamese (where it can potentially reach a lot of Vietnamese Catholics in this country and elsewhere).  I am hoping that this task will be accomplished by the end of the year.  "Another edition in Spanish is also in the works according to the May edition of Seelos News.

NEW BOOK ABOUT BLESSED SEELOS AVAILABLE(8th April 2011)
A new book about Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos by Reverend Thomas M. Santa, C.Ss.R. entitled "The Litte Way of Faithfulness" is now available from the Seelos Center in New Orleans.It costs $14.40 plus postage & packing.More info about the book is here To buy the book go here

DIOCESAN NEWS PAPER FOR AUGSBURG PROMOTES SEELOS NOVENA IN GERMAN(6 April 2011)

GERMAN SEELOS NOVENNA ON SALE NOW

 

NEW SEELOS VIDEO & HYMN IN COLUMBIAN(23rd March 2011)

A hymn about Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos and Redemptorist Missionaries has been made in Columbia,South America.It can be viewed below.

  

14th March 2011

GERMAN SEELOS NOVENA TRANSLATION-ON SALE NOW!

ORDER YOUR COPY BY CLICKING   Dominus-Verlag.   AND BUYING ONLINE-COST €1-50

© by Dominus-Verlag. Dr. Peter C. Düren. 2011

Do you speak German?Will you pray the Novena to Seliger Franz Xaver Seelos in German for more to know about him and follow his spirituality in the Diocese of Augsburg?We have 5 copies to give away FREE for those who would be willing to pray the Novena for this intention-Sprechen sie Deutsch?Werden sie die Novene zum Seligen Franz Xaver Seelos auf Deutsch beten um mehr über ihn zu wissen und um seine geistigkeit in der Diozöse von Augsburg zu folgen?Wir haben fünf Kopien,die wir KOSTENLOS denen geben,die bereit sind,die Novene für diesen Zweck zu beten..rosenthalenglish@yahoo.co.uk 

BOY,CLAIMED TO BE HEALED OF CANCER BY INTERCESSION OF BLESSED SEELOS,TAKES SEELOS AS CONFIRMATION NAME(20th Feb 2011)

Joey Schwartz,15, from Savage,Minnesota was confirmed Saturday 12th February at 1000hrs in the Catherdral in St Paul,which is the National Shrine of the Apostle Paul.Joey was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in March 2008.He is now totally free of the cancer and he and his family belive firmly that it was through the prayers and intercessions they made  to Blessed Seelos that this came about.Last Saturday he and his twin brother Derek were amongst those young people in the Diocese who were to become "Soldiers of Christ" through the Sacrament of Confirmation.Joey chose the Name Seelos for his Confirmation name..His Father Paul told us "Joey has a very special affinity with Blessed Father Seelos.  He has established himself as Joey's guide and protector, and helped to provide him with the continued gift of life through his powerful  intercession.  It was a natural choice for Joey to take the confirmation name Seelos in his honor."We ask your prayers for Joey and all those who were confirmed into the Catholic Faith with him.

IF GERMAN NOVENA PUBLISHED -ALL PRIESTS AND DEACONS IN AUGSBURG DIOCESE TO RECEIVE A COPY(20th February 2011)
Vicar General of the Diocese of Augsburg,Domkapitular Prelate Karlheinz Knebel has confirmed that if permission is granted for the publication of the Seelos Novena in German,that all priests and Deacons in the Diocese will be sent a free copy.He has also said the Novena would be put on sale at places of pilgrimage throughout the Diocese especially here in Füssen where the Shrine of Blessed seelos is to be found in St Mang Basilica.We would like to thank the Vicar General for all the time and effort he has put in to help promote Blessed Seelos and how he took the time to bring the publication of the German Novena to fruition.Once Ligouri Publications give permission then it will be published by Dominus Verlag of Augsburg.

EWTN SHOWING SEELOS DVD "Seelos: Tireless Intercessor"
 EWTN,The Usa based Catholic television station will be showing the film about the life of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos during the last wekk of February/1st week of March.Times and days vary according to where you live in the world and to whi ch area you view.

SEELOS NOVENA IN GERMAN(17th Feb 2011)

The Seelos Novena was written by Father Byron Miller C.Ss.R.,Executive Director of the  National Seelos Center in New Orleans.When Deacon Fredl H and his wife, visited New Orleans with his son last year,they picked up a copy of the Novena in English.
During one of the meetings of the Parish Council of the Füssen Catholic Churches Partnership,Mrs H. sugested it would be a good idea to translate the Seelos Novena into German.Father Frank D,Parish Priest asked Dr.Miriam Rosenthal-English to undertake the work.

She completed the task in 2 months translating it free in her spare time,she forwarded it back to Father D who then checked it for theological errors.The Novena was due to be printed for the 10th Anniversary of the Beatification of Blessed Seelos celebrations in Füssen during October 2010.

Translator:Dr.Miriam Rosenthal-English
50 copies were to be given away to see the need,unfortunatley due to technicalities the Novena never saw the light of day. When the origional copy was translated,a curtesy copy was sent to Prelate Karlheinz Knebel,former Parish Priest in Füssen,who was now Vicar General of the Diocese of Augsburg.

Vicar General of Augsburg Diocese:Prelate Karlheinz Kebel who
has written a biography of Blessed Seelos to acompany the Novena.
Prelate Knebel has a great love of Blessed Seelos and he made great efforts to see that Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos is better known and imitated,he was the one who was finally responsible for it coming to frution he arranged for Dominus Verlag to publish it and asked
Dr.Rosenthal-English if she would mind if he went ahead and had the Novena printed.He has added a biography of Seelos which he himself had authoured and added photos and graphics.The Novena was checked by Father Deuring when in Füssen and also by the Diocesan Theologian,Dr. Peter C. Düren.Dr.Duren runs his own publishing firm

Father Byron Miller C.Ss.R. Executive Director of the National Seelos Shrine and Center in New Orleans who is the origional author of the Seelos Novena.