The following information about the Fathers from the Second Edition of the Society of the Divine Savior, "On Whose Shoulders We Stand", published 2005. Salvatorian Archives, 2506 N. Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53213-1135
Collection compiled by Michael R. Hoffman SDS
Submitted by Bob Domagalski, contact information on contributors page.
BROTHER NILUS TADDY SDS Born March 14, 1923 - Died November 11, 2003 Brother Nilus Taddy (birth name: Howard) was born in 1923 in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. After his schooling, he worked with his father and his brothers in the commercial fishing trade on Lake Michigan. In 1944, he joined the Navy and served on an attack transport in the South Pacific during World War II. Following the war, he answered a long-time interest in religious life and joined the community in St. Nazianz as a Brother candidate. He spent his Novitiate in Menominee, Michigan, and he made his profession of vows on March 19, 1949. Bro. Nilus worked on the farms in St. Nazianz; in Blackwood, New Jersey; and in Lanham, Maryland. During these years, he became a skilled butcher and baker. In 1960, he returned to St. Nazianz, and ministered to the community and the students in the seminary as their baker and butcher. In 1985, when the rest of the St. Nazianz community relocated to the Jordan House in Milwaukee, Bro. Nilus moved to New Holstein. Though semi-retired, he spent many hours working in both Salvatorian Center and the Mission Warehouse. In 1989, he retired to the Jordan House community and later to Jordan Hall in Milwaukee. Just a short time before his death, the community relocated to Alexian Village, where he died peacefully on November 11, 2003. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. A quiet and slow-speaking man with a deep voice, Bro. Nilus is remembered for his droll sense of humor, his quick wit, and a gentle smile that always seemed to be present when he spoke. His legendary baking skills and his early-life experiences on the seas were recalled during his funeral Mass, for the life of Bro. Nilus certainly mirrored the stories of Jesus and the Apostles, who came ashore after a day of fishing, and then fed the crowds with loaves of bread and a multitude of fish. ***** Taddy, Bro. Nilus SDS Born to Eternal Life Tuesday, November 11, 2003, age 80 years. Preceded in death by his parents William and Emma Taddy. Further survived by all 5 of his brothers and sisters: Mae Pagels, Sister Joseph SFCC, Hubert, Margaret Allie and Nyle Taddy. Mass of Christian Burial will take place Friday, November 14 at 11 AM at Alexian Village (9301 N. 76th St., Milw.) with Visitation at the Chapel from 10 AM until the time of Mass. Burial will be Friday at 3 PM at Salvatorian Cemetery, St. Nazianz, WI SCHRAMKA FUNERAL HOME Milwaukee (414) 464-4040. Herald Times Reporter November 2003
BROTHER VALERIAN TIBODEAU SDS Born April 17, 1914 - Died April 25, 1988 Brother Valerian Tibodeau (birth name: Francis Archibald) was born on April 17, 1914, in Blue Earth, Minnesota, near the southern border in the central part of the state. He was one of nine children. After graduation from high school, he joined the community in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, and entered the Novitiate there in 1934. He made his profession of vows on March 19, 1935. Bro. Valerian was trained as a printer and he served in the Publishing Department in St. Nazianz until 1953. He then worked in maintenance at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, and he drove the daily bus trips for the scholastics who attended Catholic University in Washington, DC. Later, he printed fundraising materials at the Salvatorian Mission House in Elkton, Maryland. He returned to St. Nazianz in 1959, and joined in the Publishing Department’s move to its new location – Salvatorian Center in New Holstein. Beginning in 1975, he lived in Glen Burnie, Maryland, and he continued to work in printing until his retirement in 1980. While in Maryland, he also helped in the local parish. After a short illness, he died in Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore on April 25, 1988. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Throughout the years, in his quiet way and through his work as a printer, Bro. Valerian devoted himself to promoting the Society, its mission and its message, to the thousands of people who received the community’s publications. In his work, he was much like a “modern-day Father Jordan” – bringing the work of the Society to the world through the apostolate of the press.
BROTHER ARCADIUS TITTELBACH SDS Born November 24, 1862 - Died: January 11, 1943 Brother Arcadius Tittelbach (birth name: Nicholaus) was born in Valdenz, Germany in 1862, and he entered the Society of Rome, Italy, in 1895. He made his profession of vows on March 8, 1897. Two months later, he was sent to the United States by the Founder, Fr. Francis Jordan, to help in the newly-founded community in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. There, Bro. Arcadius diligently managed the farm for forty years, and he helped develop the extensive farm property. He was one of the first pioneers to that small community, and he would live to see it grow into one of the largest in the Society. Besides managing the farm, he was also cashier and buyer for the community. Later in life, when his health began to fail and he had to relinquish some of his heavier duties, he took on the task of being the assistant cashier for the Publishing Department. Bro. Arcadius was a kind, likeable, humble man of prayer, who loved singing in the choir. He was gifted with a beautiful voice and he occasionally directed the choir during chapel services. On January 9, 1943, as he was leaving the chapel after assisting at morning Mass, he suffered a stroke and died two days later, surrounded by a number of community members who remained with him in his final hours. At the age of 81, he had been the oldest living member in the community at that time. His death, ironically, fell on the eve of the feast of St. Arcadius, the patron saint of his religious name. He was buried in the community cemetery on Loretto Hill in St. Nazianz. ******** Arcadius M. Tittelbach, S.D.S., 80, Venerable Brother of the Salvatorian monastery at St. Nazianz, died late Monday afternoon at St. Nazianz. He suffered a stroke last Friday. He has been a devoted member and worker of the St. Nazianz religious group, Society of the Divine Saviour for nearly half a century. Brother Arcadius, as he was known best by his associates, was born in 1862 at Valdenz, Trier, Germany, and enrolled with the Society of the Divine Savior in Rome in December, 1895. He took his first vows March 8, 1897. A short time later he came to St. Nazianz and joined the group of Brothers and Fathers at the American mother- house of the society. For 40 years he was employed as farm boss, supervising the extensive farm properties of the colony near St. Nazianz. He also devoted part of his time to the duties of cashier in the office of the Salvatorian Fathers Publishing company, handling and safeguarding the funds of the society. In recent years failing health forced him to abandon farm supervision but he continued with his financial duties. The body will lie in state in the monastery parlors in St. Nazianz. Final rites will take place Thursday at 9 a.m. from the St. Ambrose church. Burial will be in the cemetery on Loretto hill, on the grounds at St. Nazianz. Manitowoc Herald Times, Manitowoc, Wis. January 12, 1943 P. 2
FATHER MELVIN TRACY SDS Born June 7, 1931 - Died March 15, 1996 Father Melvin Tracy (birth name: Robert Louis) was born on June 7, 1931, in Appleton, Wisconsin. He attended Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz for high school and the first two years of college. He entered the Novitiate in Menominee, Michigan, in 1951, and he made his profession of vows on September 8, 1952. He continued his studies for the priesthood at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, and Catholic University in Washington, DC. He was ordained in 1958 on his birthday, June 7th, in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Fr. Melvin taught at Mackin High School in Washington, DC; at Francis Jordan High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and at JFK Prep in St. Nazianz, until the school closed in 1982. He then taught at Father Ryan High School in Nashville, Tennessee; and later at Pacelli High School in Columbus, Georgia. Health issues forced him into semi-retirement in 1991. He moved to St. Nazianz and lived in the rectory of St. Gregory's Parish and taught classes in the grade school. He died on March 15, 1996, and was buried in the community cemetery on Loretto Hill. Throughout his years in religious life, Fr. Melvin deeply loved working in education. His students regarded him as an excellent math and science teacher. He was able to apply intellectual knowledge to very practical situations. While teaching in St. Nazianz, he and his students constructed a house that was energy efficient and completely self-reliant in generating its own electricity. For him, the Gospel was a call to live in harmony with all of God's creation, and to treat everyone and everything with gentleness and respect. ********* The following sent in by a family member/see contributors page: He was ordained June 7, 1958, on his birthday, at the Basicila of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. He said his first Mass on Sunday, 15 June 1958 at St. Therese Church, Appleton, WI. [I was there and saved my Holy Card. In those days they were printed on good paper]. Father Melvin Tracy and Father Anselm Platten traced an account of the people who settled and developed the St. Nazianz area, and the Manitowoc Public Library has a digital oral recording from 1976. Robert Louis Tracy was born 07 June 1931 in Appleton, Outagamie Co., WI., son of Oliver E. Tracy and Hilda Kuchenbecker. Oliver E. Tracy was born 18 Feb 1908 in Appleton, Outagamie Co., WI and died 03 July 2010 in Fitchburg, Dane Co., WI. Burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, Appleton, WI. Hilda Kuchenbecker was born 16 Dec 1908 in Appleton, Outagamie Co., WI and died 01 Apr 1990 in Appleton, Outagamie Co., WI; burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, Appleton, WI. Son Father Melvin Tracy officiated at his mother's Mass at St. Joseph Church, Appleton, WI. [My comment: 102+ not bad for an "Irish descendant'. Oliver had the most beautiful voice when he sang the old Irish songs, and he sang for funerals, weddings, etc., in every Catholic church in Appleton and elsewhere. I loved him dearly]
FATHER WILLIBALD UNGER SDS Born December 21, 1887 - Died June 25, 1948 Father Willibald Unger (birth name: John) was born in Hochfeld, Bavaria, in 1887. He was introduced to the Society in 1909 in Hamont, Belgium, when he began his studies for the priesthood. He came to the United States in 1911, and continued his studies in the seminary in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. He entered the Novitiate there in 1914, and he made his profession of vows on September 8, 1915. He was ordained in St. Ambrose Chapel on August 28, 1921. For the first few years of his priestly ministry, Fr. Willibald taught in the seminary and helped in the neighboring parishes. In 1925, he was sent to Milwaukee as the first pastor of Mother of Good Counsel Parish. Beginning with a small frame building that served as both church and school, the parish initially served about forty families. In 1929, a much larger church and school building was constructed. During the fifteen years of his pastorate, the parish grew to well over three hundred families, and there were over three hundred children in the school. In 1940, failing health forced him to relinquish the duties of such a large and busy parish, and he went to the much smaller St. Marin’s Parish in Charlestown He remained there until his death on June 25, 1948, the morning after finishing his annual retreat at the monastery. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Fr. Willibald is fondly remembered for his tenacious ability to get things done. He was not afraid to ask his parish members to make sacrifices so that their school and parish could grow and prosper. ******** Sunday, August 28, was a red-letter day at the College of the Salvatorian Fathers, St. Nazianz. At 9 o'clock in the morning in the College Church of St. Ambrose, there took place the ordination to the priesthood of six young clerics, the first to complete the entire course of studies at the college, which opened its doors in 1909. The order of priesthood was conferred by the Right Reverand Paul P. Rhode, D.D., Bishop of Green Bay and long before the services began the church was taxed to its utmost capacity with friends and relatives of the Fathers and clerics. Dinner was served to many visiting guests and at 4 o'clock in the afternoon solemn benediction was given with one of the newly ordained priests. Bebe Friedrick S.D.S., as officiant. Once more on Tuesday morning, the 30th was the church packed upon the occasion of the First Solemn masses of three of the young priets, Willibald Unger S.D.S., Rev. Landeline Glass, S.D.S., and Rev. Emmeran Weidinger S.D.S. The two last named said their first masses at the side altars while Rev. Father Willibald sang solemn high mass at the high altar, with Rev. Simon Borkowski S.D.S. as Deacon and Rev. Bebe Friedrick, S.D.S., as sub deacon. Very Rev. Dorotheus Brugger, Provincial of the Salvatorian Fathers acted as presbyter assistant and Rev. Father Michael Hoess, S.D.S., as master of ceremonies. The sermon, a forceful and eloquent exposition of the priestly office, was preached by the Rev. Father Hammel, pastor of St. Mary's, Menasha and the sanctuary was filled with priests from near and far, come together to do honor to the newly ordained. The music, which was of very high order, was rendered by the choir of the parish church of St. Gregory's through the kindness of the Sisters of the school, who directed the choir and of the pastor, Rev. Epiphanius Diebele, S.D.S., under whom the young men just ordained began their studies at the college. The rest of the young priests will each say his first solemn high mass in the home parish on Sunday, Sept. 4; Father Simon Borkowski in Sheboygan, Father Bebe Friedrich in Amsterdam, N.Y., and Father Winifrid Herbst in Poygen, Wis. Manitowoc Pilot - Thurs., Sept. 1, 1921
FATHER DONALD VERHAGEN SDS Born January 21, 1919 - Died September 20, 2001 Father Donald Verhagen (birth name: Robert Nicholas) was born in 1919 in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, just outside Appleton. He attended Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz for high school and the first two years of college. He entered the Novitiate there in 1938, and he made his profession of vows on September 8, 1939. He completed his studies for the priesthood at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland. He was ordained in Green Bay Wisconsin, on May 19, 1945. Fr. Donald taught in the seminary in St. Nazianz and was also dean of students. In 1952, he continued further studies in biology and education at Catholic University in Washington, DC. He then became the first principal of St. Mary’s High School in Lancaster, New York; and later, he was the first principal of Marian High School in Mishawaka, Indiana. Beginning in 1971, he was associate pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin; pastor of St. Mark’s Parish in Phoenix, Arizona; associate pastor of Queen of Peace Parish in nearby Mesa; and pastor of St. Rita in the Desert Parish further south in the state, in Vail. In 1996, Fr. Don retired for reasons of health, and he moved to the Jordan Hall community in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1999, more extensive nursing care needs brought him to St. Mary’s Home in Manitowoc, where he died on September 20, 2001. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Fr. Don is remembered as a kind and gentle man who devotedly gave his time and energy to his ministries. His sense of humor and his easy-going manner made him a friend to many, both within the community and outside it. ******** The Rev. Donald Verhagen S.D.S., age 82, of St. Mary's Home, Manitowoc, Wis., died Thursday afternoon, Sept. 20, 2001 at St. Mary's Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, Sept. 24, 2001, at St. Gregory's Catholic Church, St. Nazianz, Wis. Burial will take place at the Salvatorian Cemetery, St. Nazianz, Wis. Fr. Verhagen was born Jan. 21, 1919 at Kaukauna, Wis. His parents were the late Henry E. and Wilhelmina Weyers Verhagen. In the small village of Freedom, he attended grade school at Sunny Corners Public School and St. Nicholas School. He then began his seminary training at the beginning of high school at Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz, Wis. His first two years of college studies were there also and then continued his college education at the Divine Savior Seminary, Lanham, Maryland. His graduate studies for ordination were continued at the seminary, and at Catholic University of American in Washington, D.C. He was ordained a priest in May 1945. from 1945 to 1953 Fr. Donald served as biology teacher and dean of students at Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz. For the next two years he completed his Masters Degree in Biology at Catholic University, after which he returned to teaching at St. Mary's High School in Lancaster, New York where he served as Principal of the school and Superior of the community. He served in those capacities until 1964 when he moved to the Marian Catholic High School in Mishawaka, Indiana and ministered those same responsibilities. In 1971 he began his parish ministries at St. Pius X Parish in Wauwatosa, Wis. for 4 years He then moved to St. Mark's Parish in Phoenix, Arizona where he was co-pastor until 1985. From 1985 to 1987 he served as an associate pastor at Queen of Peace Parish in Mesa, Ariz. and then as pastor of the Shrine of St. Rita in Vail, Ariz. until his retirement in 1997, when he moved to Milwaukee, Wis. Health needs necessitated a move to St. Mary's Home in Manitowoc in 1999 where he resided since. Father Donald served as Provincial Consultor from 1955 to 1958 and again from 1965 to 1968. In 1965 he was also a Province Delegate to the Society's General Chapter in Rome. He is survived by his brothers Rev. Norbert (WA), Raymond, Richard, and Sylvester, and sisters Agatha Nussbaum, Millie DeBruin along with his Salvatorian family. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ben, Ed, Larry and Lloyd along with his sisters Martha Schuh and Ceil Meulemans. Expressions of sympathy can be sent to the family, Fr. Donald's brother, Sylvester Verhagen, 425 W. Kennedy Avenue, #315, Kimberly, WI 54136. Friends may call at St. Gregory's Catholic Church, St. Nazianz on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:30 a.m. The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter Saturday, September 22, 2001 pg. A6
REV. PHILIP VOGEL Rev. Philip Vogel SDS died Dec. 26, 2010, in Lacey, Wash. He was born June 10, 1939, in Tucson, Ariz., son of Frank and Mary (nee Burns) Vogel. He joined the Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians) on Sept. 8, 1962, and was ordained a priest on Sept. 5, 1969. He ministered as chaplain and counselor in the Baltimore area for many years before retirement in 2004. Preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Mary. (Survivors omitted for privacy) Funeral services to be held in the Chapel of Alexian Village in Milwaukee, Monday, Jan. 10, 2011. Visitation from 10 to 11 a.m., with family-led Rosary at 10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Burial in Salvatorian Cemetery in St. Nazianz, WI, at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to: Aquinas Academy, N72W15935 Good Hope Rd., Menomonee Falls, WI 53051. Schramka Funeral Home 7841 W. Appleton Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53218 Herald Times Reporter, Jan. 6, 2011
NOVICE GREGORY NAZIANZENUS VOGELSANG SDS Born April 16, 1897 - Died December 15, 1916 Novice Nazianzenus Vogelsang (birth name: John) was born in Barton, Wisconsin, a little village just outside of West Bend, on April 16, 1897. He began his life with the Society in St. Nazianz, in 1910, as a student in the seminary. He entered the Novitiate in 1914, but he battled with ill health several times through that year. While remaining in the community and continuing in his studies for the priesthood, a decision regarding his profession of vows was apparently delayed because of the concerns about his health. As a student, he was one of the earliest writers on the staff of the Salvatorian magazine, “Manna.” Like a few others in the community, Novice Nazianzenus fell victim to the national “Spanish Flu” epidemic in December 1918, but because of his already weakened condition, it was doubtful that he would survive the illness. With the extraordinary permission of the Superior General, he was allowed to make his profession of perpetual vows on December 15, 1918. He died just a few hours later, in the happiness of having reached his long-sought goal. The death of Novice Nazianzenus came just a week-and-a-day after the death of Frater Edward Lesch, another of the youngest and first American-born members of the province. Their deaths were very difficult for the community, as they struggled to cope with the loss of these young native-born “sons.” Novice Nazianzenus was buried in the cemetery of St. Gregory’s Parish in the village of St. Nazianz, but in 1928, when the community established its own cemetery on Loretto Hill, his remains were transferred there. ******** St. Nazianz news: Death called at the Brother of our Divine Saviour Convent Sunday and claimed another young student, Mr. Voglesang, who succumbed to an attack of influenza. His home is at Barton, Wisconsin. This is the second student to be called by death, another being buried last week. Interment was held Tuesday mroning. Tri-County Record, Kiel Thursday, December 19, 1918 pg. 4