Charles Fehrenbach (priest)
Encyclopedia
Charles Fehrenbach was a Redemptorist priest
who was an author, translator and host of a local religious radio program in the Philadelphia area. He obtained a Ph.D. in German from the Catholic University of America after he was ordained in Esopus, New York
, on June 23, 1935. He worked at St. Mary's Seminary in North East, Pennsylvania as registrar from 1942–1959; during this period he became known as an outstanding spiritual director and confessor, conducting retreats and Lenten missions in addition to his work at the seminary.
He translated several critical editions of works ("The Glories of Mary
" and "The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ") by the founder of the Redemptorists, St. Alphonsus Liguori
, and also helped prepare an analytical index of the Redemptorist Constitution and Statutes. Following his departure from St. Mary's, he worked at a series of parishes; his longest assignment was at St. Peter's in Philadelphia, where he served from 1978–1995, before retiring to the St. John Neumann Home in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he was residing when he died. At the time of his death, he was the oldest Redemptorist in the Maryland Province.
At St. Peter's, which is also the National Shrine of St. John Neumann, the Redemptorist bishop who had been canonized in 1977, Fr. Fehrenbach greeted tour groups, said Mass and heard confessions for the pilgrims as well as for parishioners. During this period, he also hosted a daily fifteen-minute program on station WTMR
during which the Rosary
was recited.
Fr. Fehrenbach was also the author of the book Mary Day by Day which is a devotional booklet containing meditations for each day of the year with quotes from scriptures and the writing of saints on Mary; the book was published by the Catholic Book Publishing Company.
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
who was an author, translator and host of a local religious radio program in the Philadelphia area. He obtained a Ph.D. in German from the Catholic University of America after he was ordained in Esopus, New York
Esopus, New York
Esopus is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 9,331 at the 2000 census. The name comes from the local Indian tribe and means "high banks."...
, on June 23, 1935. He worked at St. Mary's Seminary in North East, Pennsylvania as registrar from 1942–1959; during this period he became known as an outstanding spiritual director and confessor, conducting retreats and Lenten missions in addition to his work at the seminary.
He translated several critical editions of works ("The Glories of Mary
The Glories of Mary
The Glories of Mary is a classic book in the field of Roman Catholic Mariology, written during the 18th century by Saint Alphonsus Liguori, a Doctor of the Church....
" and "The Passion and Death of Jesus Christ") by the founder of the Redemptorists, St. Alphonsus Liguori
Alphonsus Liguori
Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori was an Italian Catholic bishop, spiritual writer, scholastic philosopher and theologian, and founder of the Redemptorists, an influential religious congregation...
, and also helped prepare an analytical index of the Redemptorist Constitution and Statutes. Following his departure from St. Mary's, he worked at a series of parishes; his longest assignment was at St. Peter's in Philadelphia, where he served from 1978–1995, before retiring to the St. John Neumann Home in Saratoga Springs, New York, where he was residing when he died. At the time of his death, he was the oldest Redemptorist in the Maryland Province.
At St. Peter's, which is also the National Shrine of St. John Neumann, the Redemptorist bishop who had been canonized in 1977, Fr. Fehrenbach greeted tour groups, said Mass and heard confessions for the pilgrims as well as for parishioners. During this period, he also hosted a daily fifteen-minute program on station WTMR
WTMR
WTMR is a radio station broadcasting a religious format. Licensed to Camden, New Jersey, USA, it serves the Philadelphia area. The station is currently owned by Beasley Broadcast Group and features programing from Westwood One.-History:...
during which the Rosary
Rosary
The rosary or "garland of roses" is a traditional Catholic devotion. The term denotes the prayer beads used to count the series of prayers that make up the rosary...
was recited.
Fr. Fehrenbach was also the author of the book Mary Day by Day which is a devotional booklet containing meditations for each day of the year with quotes from scriptures and the writing of saints on Mary; the book was published by the Catholic Book Publishing Company.