October 5 2017 - Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos - Laborer for his harvest

Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos was beatified during the Jubilee Year of 2000 by Pope St. John Paul II. He was a native of Bavaria who ministered to German Speaking immigrants here in the United States after joining the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as the Redemptorists. He ministered alongside his confrere, St. John Neumann in Pittsburgh.

His availability and innate kindness in understanding and responding to the needs of the faithful, quickly made him well known as an expert confessor and spiritual director, so much so that people came to him even from neighboring towns. Faithful to the Redemptorist charism, he practiced a simple lifestyle and a simple manner of expressing himself. It is said that his preaching, rich in biblical content, was appreciated and understood by all, regardless of education, culture, or background. A constant endeavor in this pastoral activity was instructing the little children in the faith. He not only favored this ministry, he held it as fundamental for the growth of the Christian community in the parish.

In 1860 he was proposed as a candidate for the office of Bishop of Pittsburgh. But he asked Pope Pius IX to excuse him of this responsibility so that he could dedicate himself to the life of an itinerant missionary. He preached in the states in New England and as far west as Ohio and Michigan. It would be interesting to see if he preached at some of our older parishes here in the diocese of Cleveland.
He died visiting and caring for victims of yellow fever in New Orleans on October 4, 1867 at the age of 48.

Our Lord, in the Gospel, told us to pray for the master to send out workers in the vineyard. Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos was truly a zealous worker in the vineyard of the Lord.  He taught, he preached, he brought comfort to the afflicted, he wrote of his desire to offer every moment and every endeavor as a sacrifice to God, how we waste everything we do not offer to God.

Assisted by the example and heavenly intercession of Blessed Xavier Seelos, may we answer the Lord’s call to work in his vineyard, to proclaim the mysteries of redemption with our words and deeds, to labor zealously for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life, especially among our young people, and that all Christians may take up their vocation to labor for the spread of the Gospel.

For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of October: That all workers may receive respect and protection of their rights, and that the unemployed may receive the opportunity to contribute to the common good.

For all who are oppressed by any kind of need, illness or affliction, that the Lord may graciously grant them relief.

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.

O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you yourself are the source of all devotion, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain.