Deceased Friars

Edward Blecke, OFM

Edward Blecke

1864 – 1942

Fr. Edward Blecke, OFM, was born on June 8, 1864 in Belecke, Germany. He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1886, professing temporary vows one year later. Fr. Edward made his solemn profession and was ordained in 1890.

Before his election as Holy Name Province’s first Provincial Minister, he served for eight years in Paterson as the novice master and three as guardian of the friary. In 1900, Fr. Edward was elected to the dual office of Custos of the Province of Thuringia and Commissary of the American friaries. As Commissary, he purchased the property for St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y.

Fr. Edward served as Provincial Minister for four terms, three in succession: 1901 to 1910, 1916 to 1919. He also served as guardian of St. Francis Friary in New York City and rector of the Callicoon seminary. From 1921 to 1927, Fr. Edward was a General Councilor of the Order in Rome. His simple and unaffected piety were genuine, and his calm discretion, candid straight-forwardness and uniform kindness made him the father of all and a friend of many. His final years were spent at St. Francis Friary in New York City.

He died on March 10, 1942 at St. Francis Hospital in the Bronx, N.Y. Fr. Edward was 77 years old, a professed friar for 54 years and a priest for 51 years. He was truly the “Father of Holy Name Province.

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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Edward Blecke, OFM

Edward Blecke

1864 – 1942

Fr. Edward Blecke, OFM, was born on June 8, 1864 in Belecke, Germany. He was received into the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1886, professing temporary vows one year later. Fr. Edward made his solemn profession and was ordained in 1890.

Before his election as Holy Name Province’s first Provincial Minister, he served for eight years in Paterson as the novice master and three as guardian of the friary. In 1900, Fr. Edward was elected to the dual office of Custos of the Province of Thuringia and Commissary of the American friaries. As Commissary, he purchased the property for St. Joseph’s Seraphic Seminary in Callicoon, N.Y.

Fr. Edward served as Provincial Minister for four terms, three in succession: 1901 to 1910, 1916 to 1919. He also served as guardian of St. Francis Friary in New York City and rector of the Callicoon seminary. From 1921 to 1927, Fr. Edward was a General Councilor of the Order in Rome. His simple and unaffected piety were genuine, and his calm discretion, candid straight-forwardness and uniform kindness made him the father of all and a friend of many. His final years were spent at St. Francis Friary in New York City.

He died on March 10, 1942 at St. Francis Hospital in the Bronx, N.Y. Fr. Edward was 77 years old, a professed friar for 54 years and a priest for 51 years. He was truly the “Father of Holy Name Province.