The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-10-15
Death of Brother Frederick VIM. Roeder
C. SIS r.

were painfully startled by the sad news of his
unexpected death. As he was intimately and
favorably known to many readers of the MORN
LAG STAR, brief sketch of his life and charac
ter may not prove unwelcome,
Brother Frederick was born in Germany, on
the 10th of November, 1886, and was therefore
not quite thirty years of age at the date OF his
death. To him can be ftly applied the words
Of the Holy Ghost: Being made perfect 'n
ssort space. he fulfilled long time for hiss soul
pleased God and therefore He fastened TO bring
him out Of the midst of iniquitie'." The precise
locality of his birth is not known here, for he
rarely spoke of himself and aerer of his ooun-
try and relatives. Yet it is supposed that he
was once o Prnssan subject, and probably
named after the late King Frederick William
of Prussia. However, there was no love lost
between him and the prosecuting Prussian
Government. He loved and priced his holy
religion and the Redemptoris Order more than
all else in this world.
When but q mere child, his peus parents
emigrated with him to Chicago, and settled in
st. Michsels parish where he was educated in
the schools and under the eyes of the Redemp-
torist Fathers. As boy, his chief delight was
to serve at the altar, assist the sacrstan in
church, and run on brands for the Fathers and
Brothers. Although his talents and tact fitted
him eminently for becoming a priest, he pre-
ferred to serve God in the humble capacity of
lay. brother. He therefore applied for admis-
sion into the Redemptorist order as simple lay
brother, and was received without moments
hesitation as the first Chicago candidate, about
the year 1863. He then vowed to serve God
alones and become saint by all means. From
that day till his death-as he avowed to his
eonfessor-he never committed 8 mortal sin, |
and strove, moreover, to avoid every wilful |
venial sin and violation of his rules. Like St |
Bernard, he daily asked himself: " Fritz why |
have you come to the convent? You shall and |
must become q saint - In truth, few rel gious |
surpassed him in striving after Christian per- |
fiction, all his superors and spiritual direct
ors can testify.
After laboring for three years in Chicago, to |
the SAtisfaction and edi6cation of his brethren,
he was cent to the noviciate at ANNAPOLIS aad |
invested in the habit of the Order on the Feast |
of st. Theresa, October 18th, 1856. Thence he |
wasbent to st. Louis in company with Fathers
Dold, Girardey and others, to assist in founding
9 new house of the Order in that important
city. In spite Of his numerous duties, which
he fulfilled with tact and SUCCESS peculiar to
himself, he labored 30 zealously at self. sancti-
fcation that, after the lapse of three years. he
was deemed worthy to be admitted to his reli-
gious profession. Accordingly he was sent to
Annapolis in the year 1869, and sitter compile
ting HIS second noviciate with characteristic
fekFors made the customary VOWS of Poverty,
Chastity and Obedience, together with the oath
OF Perseverance in the Order until death, on |
the 1st of March, 1870. His holy death on the
spiritual field of battle proved how faithfully
he kept this sacred oath. while others in higher
positions dropped the plough handle and re-
turned TO the flesh pots of Egypt -
From the day of his profession he had bnt
one desire-to suffer and die, in order to be
with Chfist. This earnest yearning for death
is found expressed in almost all his private
papers, poems, prayers and pious aspirations.
Who among his daily visitors would have
thought so, while observing him at the convent
door, in his Office, and in the constant hustle
Of businessi Indeed he knew how to combine
the contemplative spirit of Mary with the
active charity of Martha.
During the subsequent three years Brother
FREDERICK was employed in various capacities
sG Annapolis Leicester, New York and Balti-
"ore' Sometlmes as sacristan, at other times as
cook' ana eventually as business manager. In
"ASOoNOA OAAoo nOiy OOSQlenC9 placed him. |
whether in the kitchen in the sacristv. he
was happy and cheerful, and gave general sat-
isfaction both to Fathers and to seculars. In
fact, he cOhld do almost anything and make
everybody happy. His various superiors and
numerous friends at the North can bear ample
testimony to this statement. 1t is pretty GER
tain that no Redemptorist lay brother ever
made warmer and frmer friends among all
classes, old and young, rich and poor, beggSrs
and business men, than Brother Frederick.
Whenever he left one post to enter upon an !
other, even after ever 30 short stay, he was
invariably followed by the regrets and tears of ]
Gil that knew him. This grateful love was T
evidenced by the scores of letters, good wishes ,
ana presents that were sent after him whenever !
ne was removed from one convent to another. 9
Aet he nevet eourted affection or admiration
ne simply stroye to do his duty, regardless Of I
Hunan respect. His greatest happiness was to {