Deceased Friars

Archangelus Riesmeier, OFM

1876 – 1903

Fr. Archangelus Riesmeier, OFM, was born on Feb. 4, 1876 in Bischhofferode, Germany. He entered the novitiate in 1894 and professed temporary vows one year later. Fr. Archangel made his solemn profession in 1898 and was ordained in 1903.

Six months after his ordination, Fr. Archangel was drowned near Port Jervis, N.Y. The young friar was returning to St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., after having spent the weekend assisting the pastor of a parish in Matamoras, Pa., but was prevented by a flood from traveling beyond Port Jervis. He took up a position on a bridge connecting Port Jervis and Matamoras to get a better view of the flood, when suddenly the bridge was swept away by the raging waters.

He died Oct. 10, 1903. Fr. Archangel was 27 years old, a professed friar for eight years and a priest for six months.

Each of us should be called a lesser brother, a Friar Minor. Each one of us should wash the feet of the others.”

Main Content

Archangelus Riesmeier, OFM

Archangelus Riesmeier

1876 – 1903

Fr. Archangelus Riesmeier, OFM, was born on Feb. 4, 1876 in Bischhofferode, Germany. He entered the novitiate in 1894 and professed temporary vows one year later. Fr. Archangel made his solemn profession in 1898 and was ordained in 1903.

Six months after his ordination, Fr. Archangel was drowned near Port Jervis, N.Y. The young friar was returning to St. Joseph Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., after having spent the weekend assisting the pastor of a parish in Matamoras, Pa., but was prevented by a flood from traveling beyond Port Jervis. He took up a position on a bridge connecting Port Jervis and Matamoras to get a better view of the flood, when suddenly the bridge was swept away by the raging waters.

He died Oct. 10, 1903. Fr. Archangel was 27 years old, a professed friar for eight years and a priest for six months.