The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-06-25
CALLED HOME.
REV. p. FIDELIS MAUTE AT REST.


of the Catholic congregation at Jas
per. For nearly 30 years he de
voted the prime of his life and hi
splendid energies to the upbuildinl
of the congregation, and the spirit
ual welfare of its members. The
present large stone church building
is a monument to his excellent
management, financially, while the
confirmation in the church OF 2O2l
members during his ministry, is a
shining testimonial of the way in
which he looked after the spiritual
welfare of his people. For nearly
two years he has been sorely at
tiicted with cancer of the stomach,
giving him almost constant pain,
and reducing his usually stalwart
frame to mere semblance of his
former self, so that when the grim
messenger called him Tuesday
morning from labor to reward, il
was to him welcome surcease from
pain. The sacrament of extreme
JUNCTION was administered to him by
Father Stephen Stenger, his sue
cessor, and who has been serving in
his stead during his sickness, and
was with him when he died. Faith
er Fidelis passed to the beyond with
an exultant faith that he had
fought the good fight, had kept
the faith, and was ready"
Never did congregation become
more attached to its pastor than has
the Jasper congregation to Father
Fidelis. He has watched with So
licitude many of the members grow
from baptism to manhood; has Of
ficiated at their marriages, buried
many of their loved ones, and
with the bereaved, and
condoned many Of their faults with
fatherly christian advice, and well
deserved their respect and love.
He was about SO years old. a native
Of Sigmaringen, Prussia, gradu-
ate of st. Meinrad Abbey, where he
made his profession Sept. s, 1868,
and was ordained in jan, 1864, by
Bishop St. Palais. His first charge
was the then small church at Maria
Hill, in Spencer county, where he
served about a year, and then took
charge of the Jasper congregation,
July p, 1865, succeeding Rev. p.
Wolfgang.
Since Father Fidelis has had
charge Of the Jasper congregation
he has baptised 1893 children; and
has had confirmed 2,02l persons,
by administration of the first COM
and has officiated at 1854
burials, besides numerous mar
riages, visits to the sick, confessions,
and experimenting the material i'm
Of the church grounds,
and the celebration Of daily masses,
and preaching on Sabbath. 1t will
De readily seen his position has been
no sinecure. Since January, 1896,
Rev. p. Stephen Stenger has had
charge Of the congregation, Father
Fidelis not being able to get about.
Last year an operation was per-
formed on him for tumor of the
stomach, and he was greatly relieved
for time, and it was hoped would
get we'll.
Since its organization he has been
spiritual director Of St. Fidelis
branch, G. X. of A., and since his
death a detail Of Sir Knights in full
uniform, with swords at "present
arms" has been constantly on
guard. His corpse, dressed in
his priests robes, and enclosed in a
casket, covered with
black cloth, with silver trimming,
was taken to the audience room of
st. Joseph's church on Wednes-
day afternoon, and lay in state
there till yesterday morning, where
hundreds of loving friends took a
last view of it. The church was
beautifully and heavily draped in
black and white, and presented a
very fine appearance.
The funeral ceremonies took place
yesterday morning, beginning with
a solemn mass. He was buried
Just south and in front of the large
cross in st. Joseph's church grave
yard. A funeral sermon in German
was delivered by Rev. p. Basil
Hensler, o. s. b., pastor in charge
at st. Anthony, and an English SER
mon by Rev. p. Augustine Falley,
o. B. s., of Huntingturg, was to
have been delivered, but on account
of threatening weather, and the
the number in from the country,
was omitted. There was a large
number Of priests in attendance.
The following ones assisted in the
impressive and solemn ceremonies /:
Rev. =. Basil Hensler, o. s. b.,
German sermon.
Day ID Cla,,art Kl;rc.l n g