Wendelin Bauer, OFM

1910 – 1975

Br. Wendelin Bauer, OFM, was born in Buffalo, N.Y., on Dec. 13, 1910. He entered the Province’s novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary in Paterson, N.J., Aug. 12, 1936, and professed temporary vows Aug. 16, 1937.

He was assigned to St. Anthony’s Friary in Butler, N.J., where he worked in the kitchen under the direction of Br. Lucius Chmura, OFM, for 12 years. Br. Wendelin made his profession of solemn vows Sept. 17, 1940.

In 1948, Br. Wendelin was transferred to St. Patrick’s Friary in his hometown of Buffalo. After serving for short terms in East Rutherford, N.J., Croghan, N.Y., and Denver, Colo., he was assigned to St. Joseph’s Friary in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where he spent the remaining 23 years of his life.

Br. Wendelin’s simplicity and humor brought joy to every friary he lived and worked in, and his concern for his fellow friars was serious and genuine. Friars who lived with him claimed something of the primitive spirit of the early friars lived on in Br. Wendelin, who lived an unaffected life among his Franciscan brothers.

He died in Wilkes-Barre on June 23, 1975. Br. Wendelin was 64 years old and a professed friar for 37 years.