National Shrine of
Blessed Francis
Xavier Seelos
In the Redemptorist Church
of Saint Mary’s Assumption
Volume L
Number 3
919 Josephine Street
www.seelos.org
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 525-2495 / (504) 525-2499
March 2011
Part III of the High Altar Series:
St. Michael, Defend Us!
Scripture presents Michael as leader and champion of the faithful angels in their
struggle against the rebel angels led by Lucifer or Satan (cf. Rev. 12:7-9). His
Hebrew name is translated as “Who is like God?” Michael is the guardian angel
of the Church and of all the faithful, whom he defends against the constant
assaults of evil forces when he seizes “the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is
the devil or Satan,” chains him and hurls him into the bottomless pit “so that
he may no longer seduce the nations” (cf. Rev. 20:2-3). One of the prayers
traditionally offered by the priest and people after Mass implored Saint
Michael’s protection:
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our safeguard against
the wickedness and snares
of the devil. Restrain him,
O God, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of
the Heavenly Host, by the
power of God, cast into
Hell Satan and all the evil
spirits, who prowl about
the world seeking the ruin
of souls. Amen.
“And the devil, taking him up on a high
mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the
world in a single instant....” (Luke 4:5)
Message from
the Editor
Seelos Center Services
Blanche DuBois may have depended
“on the kindness of strangers” in “A
Streetcar Named Desire,” but it was the twenty-fifth U.S.
president who recalled a “little omission of kindness” when
he himself was streetcar-bound. According to Paul Boller,
in Presidential Anecdotes , President William McKinley was
Schwarz,
uncertain about his choice between two equally qualified Fr. Joseph
(1849-1927)
men for an important job – until he remembered boarding a
crowded streetcar on a rainy night long ago. One of the men McKinley was
now considering for the job had also been aboard, although he did not see
McKinley. When an elderly woman carrying a full laundry basket struggled
into the car, looking in vain for a seat, the man pretended not to notice
her and remained seated. It was McKinley who relinquished his seat to the
woman. Years later, citing what he called “this little omission of kindness,”
McKinley decided against the man on the streetcar for the key position.
Father Francis Seelos was waiting one evening for a streetcar to
return to the Redemptorist rectory across town in New Orleans. It was
May 1, 1867, and he had just finished preaching at the First Communion
service in Holy Trinity Church. By mere chance, a father introduced his
son to Father Seelos, “This is my son, Joseph. Make a Redemptorist out of
him.” As the two traveled in the car for some distance, Seelos questioned
Joseph Schwarz about his desire to be a religious. After the inquiry,
Seelos assured him that he had the makings of a good Redemptorist and
advised him to apply for admission. Schwarz was accepted and ultimately
had a distinguished career at the Redemptorist headquarters in Rome.
Incidentally, Father Schwarz was the canonist who aided Saint Katharine
Drexel in Rome for the Approbation of the Rule of her Congregation in
1907. Mother Katharine often expressed her gratitude for the assistance
rendered by Schwarz on that occasion, and attributed the success of
her mission to his unflagging labors, for she delighted in returning to
Philadelphia with the approval she had sought for her Constitutions.
The moral of this story: Stand up and notice! What seems inconsequential
is rather providential!
Byron Miller, C.Ss.R.
P.S. If you have the makings of a good Redemptorist, contact our vocation
directors at www.redemptoristvocations.com They will gladly pick up the
streetcar fare when meeting you!
Shrine Keepsake Plate
Exquisite Limited Edition of 1000,
10” Bone White Porcelain Plate
with 22K Gold Ring showcasing
Original Artwork by New Orleans
Artist Diego Larguia. Each plate
signed by artist & numbered on
back. For Decorative Use Only.
$45 (incl. P/H)
New!
Seelos Center News
Desperately Seeking Füssen!
A monthly newsletter for friends of
BL. FRANCIS X. SEELOS
Journey on a 10-day pilgrimage tracing the
Redemptorist roots through Germany, Austria &
the Czech Republic, including
St. John Neumann & Bl. Seelos birthplaces with
Rev. Daniel Francis, C.Ss.R.
& Msgr. Arthur Bastress
Departs from NYC (JFK), May 10-20, 2011
Contact: Regina Tours
800-228-4654, Ext. 208
Denver Provincial Superior:
Very Rev. Harry Grile, C.Ss.R.
Seelos Center Executive Director / Editor:
Rev. Byron Miller, C.Ss.R.
Seelos Center Administrator: Joyce Bourgeois
Vice-Postulators: Frs. John Vargas & Byron Miller
Seelos Center News (USPS 4472) published monthly
by the Redemptorists / National Shrine of Bl. F.X. Seelos
Subscription is $12 per year.
 Pilgrimages to St. Mary’s, Seelos
Shrine & Museum. Call Center:
504-525-2495 or 525-2499.
 Daily Spiritual Message
Call 504-586-1803.
 Blessings of the Sick with a Seelos
Crucifix in designated area hospitals:
East Jefferson
Gerry Heigle:
504-482-4404
Teresa LaCour: 504-887-0214
Ochsner (Kenner)
Linda DiMaggio:
504-287-8732
Ochsner (Uptown)
Mark/Monica Surprenant 504-895-5371
Uptown/Innercity
Jack Pitkin: 504-524-6591
Dennis Waldron:
504-442-6336
Westbank
Elaine Freeman:
504-341-2213
Abbeville/Erath/Lafayette
Boniface ‘Boni’ Suire: 337-937-5675
Baton Rouge
Gloria Bacque: 225-753-3800
Marie Giorlando:
225-615-7888
Bogalusa
Mary Haaga:
985-735-1056
Covington
Dr. Ann Logarbo:
985-886-0218
Houma/Thibodaux
Dan Montz, L.P.C.:
985-446-1805
Lacombe/Abita Springs
Billy Bachemin: 985-288-7006
Lafayette/New Iberia/Morgan City
Fred Roy: 337-380-0646
LaPlace
Courtney Guidry:
985-653-1343
Mandeville
David Brumfield: 985-886-9235
Lisa & Eric Johnsen 985-845-8116
New Iberia/Abbeville/Jeanerette
Rachel Gonsoulin: 337-224-7855
Picayune/Carriere, MS
Charlotte Carolla: 601-916-4233
Ponchatoula/Hammond
Gasper Corpora:
225-294-5938
Prairieville/Gonzales
M/M Claude Bourgeois 225-673-6688
Shreveport/Bossier City
Tom & Marjorie Rivers: 318-797-3116
Slidell
Carmelie Mancuso: 985-502-7325
Mary Jo Stewart:
985-502-9033
St. Bernard/Arabi
Patricia Noote: 504-756-4163
Seelos Center Devotionals
Cheerful Ascetic, 480-pg. hardbound biography by Fr. M.Curley that
captures Seelos’ piety & personality;
index/photos (Donation: $30, incl.p/h)
.999 Fine Silver Seelos Medal
Round, 3/4” dia., with loop; brushed
image with polished reverse & edge.
Marked with .999 FS on reverse top.
(Donation: $58 - includes p/h).
You are Invited
to the 23rd Annual
Blessed Francis Seelos
Healing Mass
in New Orleans
Sunday, May 1, 2011
1:00 p.m.
St. Mary’s Assumption Church
Homilist: Fr. Don Miniscalco, C.Ss.R.
Seelos Rosary Ring: Made in Italy,
great gift for a friend on your list.
(Donation: $3, incl. p/h)
A Life of Blessed Francis Xavier
Seelos, 108-page paperback biography, illustrated. (Donation: $12
- includes p/h)
Seelos Medals: Made of nickel silver, round 3/4” dia. with loop, antique
finish, finely crafted in the U.S.
(Donation: $3 each or 2/$5 + $1 p/h)
Seelos Perpetual Mass League:
one-of-a-kind lasting remembrance for
you or for someone dear, living or deceased. (Donation: $25, contact Seelos Ctr. or website for enrollment)
Seelos, Tireless Intercessor, a
68-min. documentary on Seelos’
miraculous life; seen on EWTN.
(Donation: $25 for DVD - incl. p/h)
FOR LENT
Seelos: The
Cumberland Years
Blessed Seelos’ indefatigable work
ethic in Baltimore led to an almost fatal
illness; his survival led Redemptorist
superiors to move him elsewhere in
Maryland for less demanding duties,
but a close encounter with death only
emboldened him to minister with even
greater zeal. Impacted by a nation torn
asunder in a civil war, and challenged by
dynamics within his own Redemptorist
Congregation, the concentrated years
between 1857 & 1865 encapsulate
Father Seelos at his busiest! Amid
today’s fast-paced lifestyle, read this
inspiring account of how Father Seelos
retained his trademark prayerful and
playful spirituality, despite threefold
tasks, trials and tribulations in
Cumberland. 92 pages, enlarged font,
$19 (incl. p/h).
Death, Where Is Your Sting?, tender account of Seelos’ final weeks of
life as told by witnesses of his death to
yellow fever. Seldom revealed details
Praying the Way of the Cross
transport us to the bedside of a true The 14 Stations are taken from the
martyr. Hardcover, 175 pp., photos. classic text by Saint Alphonsus Liguori,
Redemptorist Founder. The Prayers are
(Donation: $24 - incl.p/h)
Meet Our
First Volunteer!
“We have been working at the Seelos’
Center for about 18 months now.
All help has been from volunteers.”
(July 1962)
“It has become necessary to move
from the small office we previously
occupied to larger quarters. The
additional space will make it easier
to handle the mailing of literature,
etc. as we must keep quite a stock
on hand. ... This month we would
like to bring forward the editor of
our newsletter, Miss Josie Becker.
Her work in developing this cause has
been truly fantastic. Practically all
of her spare time (she holds down
a secretarial job during the day)
has been spent in working with this
cause. She was the first one to
come forward to volunteer her help,
and her assistance to me in various
secretarial duties has been truly
invaluable. Without her untiring aid,
the cause would not have progressed
nearly as far as it has. She has
relieved me of an inestimable
amount of work which I could not
possibly have done without her. So
a hearty salute to Josie Becker!”
-- Rev. John J. Vaughn, C.SS.R.,
Vice Postulator (from Vol. I of
this newsletter, August 1962)
From May 1962 to the year of her
death in 1985, JOSIE BECKER
prepared this newsletter for
the printer each month and
wrote articles for its pages.
accompanied by the sacred hymns of
Sincerely, Seelos, the 201 collected this great saint. CD features acclaimed
letters of Fr. Seelos. Hardbound, 512 Irish-American actor Liam Neeson. $22
pgs., illustr. (Donation: $35 - incl. p/h) (incl. p/h)
 A Seelos Vigil Candle will burn near his
sacred resting place in Seelos Shrine, New
Orleans, for an offering of $4.
Seelos
1st, 2nd & 3rd-Class Relics/ Seelos Pamphlets & Prayer Cards in English,
Spanish, Vietnamese. Call Seelos Center,
504-525-2495 or 2499.
Please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery.
The Seelos Center Gift Shop
opened in the year 2000 with a few
second-hand display cases. Much
has changed, but the one fixture
has been KIM BOURGEOIS,
who has sacrificed many of her
Saturdays to volunteer!
“‘Tis a blessing to be Irish,” insists
PEG FOLEY, a faithful volunteer
& graduate of Redemptorist High
School in the Irish Channel. Her
service to the Seelos Cause is one
of friendship, loyalty, and love.
thomasville, ga
In 2009, my father was diagnosed with
non-Hodgkins lymphoma. I obtained
a Seelos 1st-class relic for him and he
immediately began wearing it daily pinned
to his undershirt. After 6 chemo treatments
in 5 months, a scan showed that the
cancerous nodes on his kidney were gone.
I also gave a Seelos relic to my 19-yearold son for Christmas. His kidneys were
damaged by an unknown auto-immune
illness. He wears it on a chain. Three
weeks later, test results showed marked
improvement over previous tests. We are
grateful to Fr. Seelos for continued healing
and to the Center staff for their prayers.
springfield, la
Two years ago my wife & I visited the
Seelos Shrine and she purchased a Seelos
rosary for me in the gift shop. I placed it on
the mirror of my truck. Over time, I grew
attached to the rosary and began to pray it
on my way to work. One night at dinner, a
piece of chicken bone lodged in my throat;
when the doctor at ER decided to take
an X-ray to see where it was lodged, he
discovered a spot on my lungs that was
diagnosed as a very rare form of nonaggressive cancer. It was removed and
is likely never to return. I believe that my
praying the Fr. Seelos rosary helped the
cancer to be detected. I carry my rosary with
me everywhere I go and give thanks to Fr.
Seelos and to God for letting me live longer.
HOW TO FIND US: Our new facility is adjacent to
the Shrine at 919 Josephine St. -- near the corner
of Constance & Josephine, 1 block away (& across
the courtyard) from our former site. From US-90,
take the Tchoupitoulas exit to Josephine St. Or,
from St. Charles Ave. take Jackson Ave. to Laurel,
turn left & onto Josephine (Jackson Ave. is a
photo-enforced speed limit school zone!)
TESTIMONIALS
bridgeview, il
I had a very sharp pain in and around the
bone of my foot. Didn’t know if it was arthritis
due to the cold or some other serious
problem. I have a Seelos relic and made
a 3-day novena to him, with a secondary
petition to Our Lady of Prompt Succor. On
the third day of the novena, I saw prolonged
relief for the first time. Now the trouble
appears to be totally gone. I believe that
Fr. Seelos had something to do with it.
baton rouge, la
A local pathologist diagnosed my husband
with non-small cell lung cancer. Doctors at
MD Anderson in Houston discovered that my
husband does not have this terrible disease
for which there is no cure. I am giving all
the credit to God for putting into place the
events which led us to delay his chemo
treatment and get another opinion. Ever
since my sister gave me a Seelos prayer
card, I’ve been leaving messages on your
prayer website asking Fr. Seelos to help us.
I’ve read the prayers of others and seen
how many faithful people are comforted
in reading about Fr. Seelos. When I was
overwhelmed by the frightening cancer
diagnosis and my husband’s demise, I
ardently prayed to Fr. Seelos to please
help us, and he has. My husband isn’t
angry at the pathologist’s misdiagnosis, but
sees this as an opportunity to help others
who may be in similar circumstances.
port neches, tx
Doctors at MD Anderson Hospital told my
husband that his ear & throat pain was a
recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma
Dear Father Byron: In my own way, I want to support the cause
of Blessed Francis Seelos in gratitude for Graces Received &
Prayers Answered. $_________ to be used for:
 the ministry & maintenance at the National Shrine of
Bl. Francis Seelos.
 furnishing & completing the new Seelos Welcome Center.
 Other item(s) designated below:
that he had survived 34 years ago. After 6
rounds of chemo we were told surgery was
his only chance for a cure. It was then that
a relative introduced us to Bl. Seelos with
relics & prayer cards. We began imploring
him to allow my husband to lead a normal
life after the removal of the tumor & his
larynx. His chances of ever being able
to swallow again were 50%. The Seelos
relics were pinned to his hospital gown or
pillow at all times. Surgery removed my
husband’s voice and ability to swallow,
so a feeding tube was necessary. Six
weeks later, a test showed that he could
swallow better than before the surgery!
He was told in 6-8 weeks the tube would
be removed. He was able to eat so well
that the tube was removed after 3 weeks.
Bl. Seelos has been there for us, helping
us through this long battle against cancer.
metairie, la
A small bump in my eyebrow grew to the
size of a quarter in a few days. I also had
large swollen glands on the side of my face
and in my neck. The doctor said it was a
serious staph infection and gave me shots
& prescription antibiotics. I returned to the
doctor and the condition had not improved.
I was told that if it was not improved by
the next day, it would need lancing, and
there was the risk of it become systemic.
I prayed to Fr. Seelos several times that
day & held his relic to the inflamed areas.
By the next day, my doctor was very happy
with the progress and I didn’t need to have
the infection lanced. I continued to pray
to Fr. Seelos; I know it was through his
intercession that I was able to overcome
this infection. My family has prayed
to him for over 40 years and has often
been the beneficiary of his intercession.
PLEASE VISIT WWW.SEELOS.ORG AS WE NEAR a quarter MILLION HITS!
Make a Self-Guided Retreat with Bl. Seelos: All 6 for $13, incl. p/h
 Please delete me from
your mailing list.
 Please delete multiple
mailings to this address.
 My Intention(s) at Weekly Mass for Seelos Benefactors:
Kindly return in the enclosed
envelope with any corrections or
call 504-525-2495 or 2499
or e-mail bmiller@seelos.org
Allow a minimum of 30 days
to process your address
Please make donations payable to “National Shrine of Blessed Francis Seelos”.
change request.
Contributions to the Seelos Shrine are income tax deductible, less items purchased.
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