Menu

SEELOS IN FÜSSEN

A PARISHIONER WEBSITE ABOUT BLESSED FRANCIS XAVIER SEELOS

header photo

Seelos News Archive 6

RETURN TO THE SEELOS SHRINE 3 YEARS ON(29 July 2012)
©All Photos in this news story copyright of Paul Schwartz
3 years after suffering from a very rare cancer,Joey Schwartz is to return to the Seelos Shrine this Thursday,2nd August 2012,exactly 3 years to the day his family believe Blessed Seelos interceded for him and he was healed.


Joey with Father Byron Miller C.Ss.R.
His Father Paul told us "In March of 2008, my then 13 year old son Joey was diagnosed with a very rare and highly lethal cancer called Midline Carcinoma. The average survival time for this cancer is 6 months and there is no proven treatment. At the time of his diagnosis, he was the 14th reported case and there was only one "rumored" survivor.Following the surgical removal of a fist sized tumor from his chest wall, and over a year of highly aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatments, there was no longer any sign of the disease. We believed Joey had been cured.Unfortunately, during a follow up PET Scan in July of 2009, we were given the news that Joey's cancer had returned. There were now dozens of tumors throughout Joey's lungs and another large tumor on his chest wall. The doctor looked us in the eye and told us he "couldn't offer us any hope" but could try some other chemotherapy agents to extend Joey's life.Following the devastating news, a friend of the family told us about Blessed Father Seelos, a Redemptorist Priest from the 1860s, who was being considered for Sainthood. A few weeks later we headed to New Orleans to visit the Seelos Shrine.


Joey with Joyce Bourgeois,Administrator of the National Seelos Center,New Orleans
A month following our visit to the Shrine, Joey had a followup CT Scan. The scan revealed no detecable signs of disease; all the tumors were gone from Joey's lungs and chest.
Joey remains cancer free to this day, and the positive outcome of his illness continues to mystify his medical team"

The family are in New Orleans,today  St Mary's Assumption Parish had a Christmas in July Lunch at the Seelos Knights of Columbus Hall. Father Byron Miller C.Ss.R. thanked Joyce Bourgeois for the time and effort she has put in over the years as the Seelos Center Administrator.

Joyce Bourgeois,Administrator of the National Seelos Center,New Orleans being thanked By Father Byron Miller C.Ss.R.

Joyce has been suffering from cancer herself and still has 8 months of chemotherapy ahead of her.Joyce who has helped and encouraged many thousands of pilgrims to the Seelos Shrine over the years told Joey "that God has a purpose for him. He needs to be a guiding light for young people to believe in and support the Catholic faith."

Father Byron also told those gathered that " another miracle submission was recently turned down . . . a lady who was unable to walk, but regained her mobility after visiting the Shrine."

Joey's father Paul told us " Joey has been designated as a fallback miracle submission of sorts (if they can't get another one approved sooner). The Vatican is now requiring 10 years on cancer cases. Joey has 7 more years left on the clock."

If Joey was eventually to be chosen the 7 years would bring us to 2019,which just happens to be the 200th Anniversary of the birth of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos on 11th January 1819.

 

ST. DOMINIC KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS,COUNCIL 3729, "CROSS" PATHS WITH BLESSED SEELOS(15th May 2012)
Report & Photos Copyright ©-Victor Welker



Father Byron Miller C.Ss.R. Executive Director National Seelos Shrine,New Orleans.
On May 10th, Father Byron Miller, C.Ss.R, Director of the National Shrine of Blessed Father Seelos, attended the monthly meeting of the St. Dominic Knights of Columbus in New Orleans, Louisiana. Father Miller gave a presentation on the life and the cause of canonization for the Priest Known as the Cheerful Ascetic. Many who attended were not aware of Blessed Father Seelos, but after hearing Father Miller's remarks wanted to know more about this man who in his short time on earth and in particular New Orleans, touched so many lives. Father Miller described how on his sickbed Blessed Seelos remained cheerful and even left his bed to minister to those who were dying from the yellow fever. Father Miller talked about the first case to be declared a miracle and how he feels it will be soon before a second miracle is verified in order for Blessed Seelos to attain Sainthood. Finally, Father Miller brought out the cross of Blessed Seelos to bless those in attendance. The same cross that Blessed Seelos used to bless those dying from yellow fever.
Then Father Miller passed the cross around for all to touch. You could see in the faces of those who touched the cross the emotion of holding the cross fo a future Saint. It was quite a moment.



Father Byron Miller C.Ss.R. with Viktor Welker,Kinight of St Columbus,reporter & photographer.

BLESSED SEELOS PARISH NEW ORLEANS HOLDS EUCHARISTIC "NIGHT OF HEALING" (24th Mar 2012)
SPECIAL REPORTING FROM MERRILEE IN NEW ORLEANS



The Blessed Seelos Parish in New Orleans held a Eucharistic Healing Night on Friday March 23rd 2012.It started with Holy Mass at 1900hrs and was in English & Spanish.We were fortunate to have MerriLee as our representative at this special evening.She recently lost a great friend Ellen due to cancer.Merri is no stranger herself to cancer as she is now 7 months in remission which she puts down to the intercession of Blessed Seelos.This is her quick account evening and how it helped her.More will follow later
"I attended the healing Mass tonight as planned. I must tell you, I was very excited to find that the Blessed Francis X. Seelos Catholic Parish is the same church I was christened as a baby. It used to be the old St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and is as beautiful as ever, the last time I attended the church was in 1982 when my niece and nephew were christened. All the details from the stain glass windows to the statues on the altar are as original and as old as the church itself. On the left side of the church up high was the statue of Father Seelos himself that I believe was brought over from St. Mary's Assumption Church. I will have to do my home work to find out more information on the church itself and when it was built(Partial restoration was completed by November of 2006-MR-E). The Mass was English/Spanish, it was breathtaking to hear the music and the choir sing. I enjoyed the Mass. Father Bryon Miller CSsR did the English half and Father Sergio Serrano OP did the Spanish half. After Mass I talked to Father Byron, I gave him the list I had of everyone's names from the Facebook group " Devotion to Fr. Seelos" for petition for prayers and he said  will definitely place it at the National Seelos Shrine for healing.My name and family will be mentioned in his petition for prayers during Mass this weekend. I was thrilled,Ii wanted to cry. I felt at peace, my grandson who is 6 had 2 blessings and my daughter also, I loved that we went as a family and we were together in a place that felt like home. I could breath, I was content and it felt good."  MerriLee.
We also found out that Father Sergio holds a healing Mass EVERY 4th Friday of the month at 1900hrs in Blessed Seelos Parish.One of the Parishioners,Mary told us "Fr. Sergio is holding the Masses every Friday night at 7PM. Fr Byron juss made this a special mass. I have gone to the healing masses at St. Mary'sAssumption,New Orleans,a couple of times and they are really nice but this was very special because it was not so crowded and you can barely find a seat at the other ones. This was so wonderful because you were blessed with Fr. Seelos actual cross. I thnk Fr Sergio willl try to have Fr. Byron do other masses from time to time. It is wonderful to be in a church with various people from all walks of life."
Mary's husband Viktor told us the Mass was "Inspirational and very spiritual. Nice turnout, not a full church. Mass was in English and Spanish. Enjoyed the Spanish rendition of the songs. Father Byron Miller,Director of the National Seelos Center  was there, but does not go every week. "

NEW SEELOS MEDITATIONS FOR STATIONS OF THE CROSS



For Lent the Seelos Center in New Orleans has produced a new booklet with meditations from the written works of Blessed Seelos.Follow Seelos on the Way of the Cross
and come closer to Our Blessed Lord.It costs $5.You can obtain a copy HERE


BREAKING NEWS EXCLUSIVE-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SEELOS SHRINE IN NEW ORLEANS FATHER BYRON MILLER COMMENTS ON THE MONSTRANCE WHICH WAS BROUGHT FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW ORLEANS AFTER MEDIA CLAIMS OF A CONNECTION TO BLESSED SEELOS,HE TOLD US "despite the media’s insistence on a Seelos connection to this monstrance, it had little to do with Seelos other than exist across the street in his day. I hope some people are wise enough to not believe everything (and every sensational headline) that they read."(18th January 2012)

 



DIOCESE OF WORCESTER,USA, PAPER-THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS & UK CATHOLIC HERALD REPORTS PARALYSED PRIEST
WALKING DUE TO INTERCESSION OF BLESSED SEELOS(UPDATED 5TH JAN 2012)


 The Diocesan Newspaper for Worcester,USA,"The Catholic Free Press" and the UK "Catholic Herald" are reporting in the latest issue that a Redemptorist Priest who was paralysed has started to walk through the alleged intercession of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos.
Father John Murray C.Ss.R. was paralysed by a head injury after falling.It was discovered he had broken his neck and doctors claimed he would never walk again.Now thanks to prayer and faith Father Murray is beginning to walk again.He puts it down to the intercession of Blessed Seelos.You can read the whole news item by  George P.Matysek Jr. of the Catholic News Service THE CATHOLIC FREE PRESS & CATHOLIC HERALD

ALLEGED SEELOS HEALING CASE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ADVANCEMENT
Father Byron Miller C.Ss.R.,Vice Postulator for the Seelos Canonisation Cause 14th November 2011
In May 2009, Most Reverend Edwin O’Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore,convoked the official Diocesan Inquiry into an alleged extraordinary healing through the intercession of Blessed Francis Seelos.The fact-­‐finding Inquiry Panel investigated the case and heard the sworn testimony of Mary Ellen Heibel,her primary physician and nurse,and other key witnesses,concerning Heibel’s cure of metastasized esophageal cancer.Heibel,a devout Catholic
and parishioner of Saint Mary’s Church in Annapolis,Maryland,had
been cancer-­free since January 2005,even though the disease had
spread to her liver,lungs,back and sternum,and medical treatment
had failed.The cancer disappeared one week after she helped begin a weekly Seelos novena in her parish.Diocesan Inquiry officials completed their investigation in September 2010.In October 2010,the Redemptorist Postulator General,Reverend Antonio Marrazzo,submitted the results to the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints to undergo proper scrutiny by Vatican authorities on whether or not the cure met the criteria for the one
miracle needed in Seelos’ canonization.On October 30,2011,Vice Postulators Byron Miller and John Vargas were informed by Father
Marrazzo that Professor Paolo Marchetti,oncologist and medical expert of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints,had finally given his preliminary expert’s report regarding the diocesan investigation.Professor Marchetti’s clinical conclusions affirm that Mary Ellen Heibel,from the first months of 2005,show no signs of metastatic esophageal neoplasty.“This result,in light of present scientific knowledge,does not appear to be explicable from the chemotherapy employed.”Consequently,“the clinical result which was obtained cannot be scientifically explained.”However,in a subsequent meeting with Father Marrazzo,Professor Marchetti indicated that in order to declare the disappearance of the metastatic esophageal neoplasty as complete,immediate and  lasting,it would have been much more opportune to wait at least 10 years from the healing event.This waiting period would have confirmed the disappearance of all the tumor cells,giving certitude
of a complete and definitive healing.Mary Ellen Heibel passed away in October 2009—four years after the alleged healing—even
though it was due to a completely different cause:complications
from pneumonia.Professor Marchetti advised Father Marrazzo not to proceed with the Process of this case.Moreover,Father Marrazzo
has noted a tendency by the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints to reject presumed miracles involving the healing of tumors,
because permanent healings are rarely found in light of recent
scientific studies.For Father Marrazzo,“it is clear that the healing
presented all the  signs of being extraordinary,”especially,“if one
takes into account that for esophageal cancer, chemotherapy
‘is exclusively used to control the symptoms and to ameliorate
the symptomology,and not to heal the patient.’Unfortunately in our
case it is no longer possible to ascertain the complete and
definitive healing.I am very well aware that this thought gives only
scant consolation.On another note,however,the certainty remains
that everything that happened to Mrs.Heibel through the intercession of Blessed Seelos,should be considered an exceptional grace and that prayers of intercession to the Blessed
do not go unheard.” Father Marrazzo concludes,“I am convinced that in the future,we will have an extraordinary and unquestionable case that will make it possible for us to celebrate
the canonization of Blessed Seelos.

THE FULL TEXT CAN BE FOUND HERE
THE CATHOLIC REVIEW-ARCHDIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR BALTIMORE-November 30th issue

SEELOS MONSTRANCE TO RETURN TO NEW ORLEANS-WITHDRAWN FROM NEW YORK AUCTION!(16th November 2011)
A monstrance claimed to have a connection to Blessed Seelos has been withdrawn from Sotheby's New York auction house,two days before the auction.The Archdiocese of New Orleans have worked behind the scenes to bring it back to New Orleans.The Archbishop had earlier said that the Archdiocese would be unable to afford the $40-80,000 price that it was valued at.This inspired many to contact the Archdiocese and the spokesperson for the Archdiocese has said it will return to New Orleans But they don't know when or where it will be located-READ THE FULL STORY HERE

NEW ORLEANS FOX8LIVE AIRS INSPIRATIONAL NEWS ITEM ABOUT BLESSED SEELOS(4th November 2011)
News Anchor for Fox 8 Noon News,Liz Reyes recently spent some time reporting another Blessed Seelos news item.She interviewed some local people from the area who claim to have been healed due to the intercession of Füssen born Blessed Seelos.

ARCHBISHOP OF NEW ORLEANS CONDEMMS AUCTION OF MONSTRANCE THAT WAS IN ST ALPHONSUS CHURCH AT THE TIME OF BLESSED SEELOS(26th October 2011)


The Archbishop of New Orleans,Gregory Aymond has condemned the proposed auction of a monstrance that was formally housed in the Church of St Alphonsus in New Orleans.He says that selling it contravenes church law.The Monstrance is so large that it used to take 3 priests to move it.Blessed Seelos was based at St Mary's Assumption Church in New Orleans.This was the church used by the German immigrants,However Seelos also was able to speak English and used to minister to the English congregation of St Alphonsus as well,during his year in New Orleans.The full story can be read on the New Orleans website NOLA.COM   

REAL CATHOLIC TV SAINT OF THE DAY

On 3rd October 2011,Real Catholic TV chose Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos to be the Saint of the Day.

 

 

 



LATEST VIDEOS PROMOTING VOCATIONS TO THE REDEMPTORIST ORDER SHOT AT SEELOS CENTER NEW ORLEANS

 

FÜSSEN & NEW ORLEANS CELEBRATE 144TH ANNIVERSARY  OF THE DEATH OF BLESSED SEELOS(26th October 2011)

The cultural differences between Füssen & New Orleans was clearly seen in how they celebrated the 144th Anniversary of the death of Blessed Seelos.In New Orleans,a packed St Mary's Assumption Church was just the start of their celebrations.The Annual Memorial Mass draws pilgrims from all over the United States to the place where Blessed Seelos spent his last year before dying from Yellow Fever.The faith of those in the congregation,many suffering from physical ailments can be felt by all.A wonderful joyful spirit permeates the whole of the church during Mass.The Mass was celebrated on Sunday 2nd two days before the death of Blessed Seelos and 3 days prior to his official Feast Day. This year the Very Reverend Harry Grile, Redemptorist
Provincial Superior,preached the sermon.
Meanwhile back in the more staid setting of St Mang Basilica,Füssen,around 30 gathered for the Annual Feast Day Mass on 5th October.Celebrated by Parish Priest and Deacon of Füssen,Father Frank D.Deacon Fredl H. assisted.Even with such a small congregation,once again the spirit of Blessed Seelos could be felt within the Basilica.The bidding prayers took on the same pattern as last year.A beautiful melody played with two of the congregation reading out prayer requests that had been placed at the Seelos Shrine in Füssen during the past year.



Then all joining in singing our thanks and prayer after each petition.This never fails to move those present and it is such intense prayer that rises to God via the intercession of Blessed Seelos during this time.
Over in New Orleans in the evening they held the 8th Annual Gala Dinner with over 300 guests.The highlight of the evening was recognizing William Coskrey as the 2011 Inductee into “The Order of Seelos Witness” for his outstanding commitment to the Cause.

CELEBRATIONS FOR SEELOS FEAST OCTOBER 2011(30 SEPTEMBER 2011)

Sunday, October 2, 2011

UNANSWERED PRAYERS?
COME TO MY AID FATHER SEELOS!
Feast Day Mass - 144th Anniversary of His Death
Sunday, October 2, 2011 Mass at 1:00 PM
National Shrine of Blessed Francis Seelos / St. Mary’s Assumption Church
919 Josephine Street (Corner of Josephine & Constance Streets) New Orleans, LA 70130
• Confessions before Mass
• Veneration of Relic Missionary Crucifix
• Wheelchair Accessible / Free Parking Lot
• One-on-one intercessory prayer in back of
church and in shrine, starting at 11:45 AM –
venerate his relic as you and your loved
ones enter!
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
            504-525-2495       or 525-2499
Welcome Center / Shrine / Museum
OPEN: M-F 9:00-3:00 / Sat: 10:00-3:30
www.seelos.org
Interested in future date group tour?
Call Joyce             504-525-2499      
SEELOS GALA BENEFIT:
Purchase advance tickets by 9/26
Sunday, October 2 -- 5:30 PM
Audubon Tea Room, 6500 Magazine St.
.
COME WITH YOUR LOVED ONES
& YOUR PRAYER PETITIONS
TO ASK WHAT YOUR HEART DESIRES
Be refreshed at a sanctuary of hope, healing, miracles Gift shop open before & after Mass

TV COUPLE INVITE SEELOS SHRINE PERSONEL TO SPEAK AT THEIR CONFERENCE(30 SEPTEMBER 2011)

October 14-16, 2011
Bob and Penny Lord's 2011 Conference
A Time for Mercy - A Time for Healing

Holy Family Mission
65 Holy Family Mission Road
Morrilton, AR  72110

 

For more information:

1. Call us at             1-800-633-2484     

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
Bob & Penny Lord
Father Byron Miller.(Executive Director of the National Seelos Center New Orleans)
Joyce Bourgeois(Manager,National Seelos Center,New Orleans)
Father Byron Miller who will speak and be the main Celebrant at a Healing Mass. Blessing with a relic of Blessed Seelos.
 

ENTIRE STOCK OF GERMAN SEELOS NOVENA'S SOLD OUT IN ST MANG BASILICA,FÜSSEN.

Hundreds of copies of the Seelos Novena have been sold since it was published in German.During the last 3 months at least 1,000 copies have been sold in St Mang Basilica,Füssen,where Blessed Seelos was baptised the day of his birth.The entire stock sold out and more had to be ordered to cope with demand.The October issue of Seelos News says that over 50;000 copies of the Novena to Blessed Seelos have now been sold in the English Language version.The Novena was written by Father Byron Miller C.Ss.R. who is the National Director of the Seelos Center in New Orleans.


SEELOS NOVENA NOW AVAILABLE IN SPANISH ,VIETNAMESE & DEUTSCH AS WELL AS THE ORIGIONAL ENGLISH VERSION  

 

Spanish & Vietnamese Covers of Seelos Novena.Copyright SEELOS CENTER,NEW ORLEANS.USA German cover Copyright© by Dominus-Verlag. Dr. Peter C. Düren. 2011

 


HYMN SUNG AROUND THE DEATHBED OF BLESSED FRANCIS XAVIER SEELOS-MILDE KÖNIGIN,GEDENKE(TUNE)-TEXT

The German hymn sung by the Priests and brother Redemptorists around Blessed Seelos's death bed was called Milde Königin,Gedenke.It had taken over two years to discover the hymn.Many books mention that his favourite Marian hymn was sung around his death bed,but none ever mentioned the name of the hymn.We even contacted the Seelos Center in New Orleans to ask for the name.Father Byron Miller,C.Ss.R. the Executive Director was unable to help.He encouraged us to try and find out more.
All the time the answer was right under our noses.The then Parish Priest of Füssen, Monsignor Karlheinz Knebel,had written a small brochure on the life of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos,within its pages he gave the name of the Hymn.We contacted him to confirm if the name was correct and were we would find the correct text.Now Vicar General of the Diocese of Augsburg,Prelate Knebel helped us to find the correct text which was then double checked by the Dr.Peter C.Düren.We informed Father Miller C.SS.R. at the National Seelos Center who was delighted withe news.