Deceased Friars

Bernard Spiegelberg, OFM

Bernard Spiegelberg

1875 – 1949

Fr. Bernard Spiegelberg, OFM, was born Sept. 8, 1875 in Bremen, Germany. He came to the United States, entering the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1892. He professed temporary vows one year later, made his solemn profession in 1896 and was ordained in 1898.

He served at St. Elizabeth Parish in Denver and was the assistant in 1908 when Fr. Leo Heinrichs, OFM, was killed while distributing Eucharist during Mass. For 10 years, he taught at St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., and he spent many years preaching missions and retreats. Fr. Bernard served as a Provincial Councilor and, for 14 years, Provincial procurator of the Franciscan Missionary Union. His love for the foreign missions remained an integral part of his life until his death.

He died on Jan. 27, 1949 at St. Francis Hospital in New York City. Fr. Bernard was 73 years old, a professed friar for 55 years and a priest for 50 years.

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

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Bernard Spiegelberg, OFM

Bernard Spiegelberg

1875 – 1949

Fr. Bernard Spiegelberg, OFM, was born Sept. 8, 1875 in Bremen, Germany. He came to the United States, entering the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1892. He professed temporary vows one year later, made his solemn profession in 1896 and was ordained in 1898.

He served at St. Elizabeth Parish in Denver and was the assistant in 1908 when Fr. Leo Heinrichs, OFM, was killed while distributing Eucharist during Mass. For 10 years, he taught at St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary, Callicoon, N.Y., and he spent many years preaching missions and retreats. Fr. Bernard served as a Provincial Councilor and, for 14 years, Provincial procurator of the Franciscan Missionary Union. His love for the foreign missions remained an integral part of his life until his death.

He died on Jan. 27, 1949 at St. Francis Hospital in New York City. Fr. Bernard was 73 years old, a professed friar for 55 years and a priest for 50 years.