"Fr. Philip was received into the Capuchin Order and invested as a novice, at Holy Cross Monastery, Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin, on 20 May 1869; he made his profession of religious vows on 20 May 1873. He was ordained to the priesthood, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 21 September 1877. He died on 6 December 1906, and is buried in the monastery cemetery at Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin. (I am enclosing a necrology on him that was published in our province magazine, THE MESSENGER, around 1930.) He was a good religious and zealous priest and pastor; but he was rather strict with himself in several ways, but it led to his sanctity."
This information was sent to me 28 November 1978, by Fr. Donald Wiest, O.F.M.Cap. Provincial Archivist. St. Bonaventure Monastery 1740 Mt. Elliott Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48207
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THE MESSENGER
Father Philip was a conscientious and zealous priest and pastor. At Detroit and Appleton he was ever ready to accompany the funerals to the cemetery to pronounce the last blessing over the deceased. But he was still more interested in the souls of the departed and dedicated to them all his free Masses.
As a religious Fr. Philip was of the austere type, exacting and rigorous with himself. He had already showed this trait when still in the world. With his entry of the Order this tendency naturally took still deeper root in his character.
Religious with such a make-up frequently have their difficulties with the practical working out of religious life. Their mistake consists mainly in this that they over emphasize one virtue to the exclusion of others. That has happened even to some of the saints (cf. Ideals of St. Francis, chapt. 7.).
Thus it was also with good Father Philip. His conscientious regard for the eleventh chapter of the Rule led him to be his own cook at the missions rather than take his meals at the Sisters. And thus he also had his difficulties with the characteristic virtue of the Order, poverty. The Superiors could hardly satisfy his conception of it.
He found the requirements of these virtues comparatively easy for himself and had not the least misgivings that it might require an almost heroic will power in others to practice them that way.
The tragic part of such experiences is this, that these good religious deprive themselves thereby to quite some extent of that peace and joy and consolation which religious life holds out for its servitors. Divine Providence doubtlessly turns these difficulties to their spiritual profit; yes we may even assume that It has to lead them this rough road in order to safeguard them against the natural reaction of their mistaken attitude. By not permitting them to realize their ideals it leads them to the desired goal. Another "Triumph of Failure"!
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Father Philip (John) Spies was born in Germany 1839. After his emigration to America he lived for a time in our parish at Mt. Calvary. He attended St. Lawrence College for a year. He was one of the little band of six who, undeterred by the desperate plight to which the conflagration of 1868 [1] had reduced the Capuchins at Mt. Calvary, determined to cast their lot with the destitute community. When the students left they remained and lodged in the laundry of the good Notre Dame Sisters. It was most likely in the chapel of the Sisters where they received the habit, 20 May 1869. He was ordained 21 September 1877 with Fathers Luke and Ignatius.
The first years of his priestly life were spent at Ft. Lee, New Jersey. He also labored at Detroit [2], where he had charge of the little parish at Greenfrield, at Appleton [3](Vicar,)St. Francis and Mt. Calvary [4]. Whilst at Mt. Calvary [5] he had charge ao St. Peters and St. Joseph. He died at Mt. Calvary 6 December 1906. His death was caused by bronchial pneumonia which he had contracted whilst answering a sick-call.
[1] "conflagration" = the fire that nearly completely destroyed the monastery building 26 December 1868.
[2] Detroit, Michigan, St. Bonaventure monastery.
[3] Appleton, Wisconsin, St. Joseph monastery and parish.
[4] Milwaukee, Wisconsin, St. Francis monastery and parish.
[5] Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin, Holy Cross monastery and parish, Also had charge of two neighboring parishes and still in charge of St. Joseph's.
This information was sent to me 28 November 1978, by Fr. Donald Wiest, O.F.M.Cap. Provincial Archivist. St. Bonaventure Monastery 1740 Mt. Elliott Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48207
----------------------------------------------
THE MESSENGER
Father Philip was a conscientious and zealous priest and pastor. At Detroit and Appleton he was ever ready to accompany the funerals to the cemetery to pronounce the last blessing over the deceased. But he was still more interested in the souls of the departed and dedicated to them all his free Masses.
As a religious Fr. Philip was of the austere type, exacting and rigorous with himself. He had already showed this trait when still in the world. With his entry of the Order this tendency naturally took still deeper root in his character.
Religious with such a make-up frequently have their difficulties with the practical working out of religious life. Their mistake consists mainly in this that they over emphasize one virtue to the exclusion of others. That has happened even to some of the saints (cf. Ideals of St. Francis, chapt. 7.).
Thus it was also with good Father Philip. His conscientious regard for the eleventh chapter of the Rule led him to be his own cook at the missions rather than take his meals at the Sisters. And thus he also had his difficulties with the characteristic virtue of the Order, poverty. The Superiors could hardly satisfy his conception of it.
He found the requirements of these virtues comparatively easy for himself and had not the least misgivings that it might require an almost heroic will power in others to practice them that way.
The tragic part of such experiences is this, that these good religious deprive themselves thereby to quite some extent of that peace and joy and consolation which religious life holds out for its servitors. Divine Providence doubtlessly turns these difficulties to their spiritual profit; yes we may even assume that It has to lead them this rough road in order to safeguard them against the natural reaction of their mistaken attitude. By not permitting them to realize their ideals it leads them to the desired goal. Another "Triumph of Failure"!
----------------------------------------------
Father Philip (John) Spies was born in Germany 1839. After his emigration to America he lived for a time in our parish at Mt. Calvary. He attended St. Lawrence College for a year. He was one of the little band of six who, undeterred by the desperate plight to which the conflagration of 1868 [1] had reduced the Capuchins at Mt. Calvary, determined to cast their lot with the destitute community. When the students left they remained and lodged in the laundry of the good Notre Dame Sisters. It was most likely in the chapel of the Sisters where they received the habit, 20 May 1869. He was ordained 21 September 1877 with Fathers Luke and Ignatius.
The first years of his priestly life were spent at Ft. Lee, New Jersey. He also labored at Detroit [2], where he had charge of the little parish at Greenfrield, at Appleton [3](Vicar,)St. Francis and Mt. Calvary [4]. Whilst at Mt. Calvary [5] he had charge ao St. Peters and St. Joseph. He died at Mt. Calvary 6 December 1906. His death was caused by bronchial pneumonia which he had contracted whilst answering a sick-call.
[1] "conflagration" = the fire that nearly completely destroyed the monastery building 26 December 1868.
[2] Detroit, Michigan, St. Bonaventure monastery.
[3] Appleton, Wisconsin, St. Joseph monastery and parish.
[4] Milwaukee, Wisconsin, St. Francis monastery and parish.
[5] Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin, Holy Cross monastery and parish, Also had charge of two neighboring parishes and still in charge of St. Joseph's.
"Fr. Philip was received into the Capuchin Order and invested as a novice, at Holy Cross Monastery, Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin, on 20 May 1869; he made his profession of religious vows on 20 May 1873. He was ordained to the priesthood, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on 21 September 1877. He died on 6 December 1906, and is buried in the monastery cemetery at Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin. (I am enclosing a necrology on him that was published in our province magazine, THE MESSENGER, around 1930.) He was a good religious and zealous priest and pastor; but he was rather strict with himself in several ways, but it led to his sanctity."
This information was sent to me 28 November 1978, by Fr. Donald Wiest, O.F.M.Cap. Provincial Archivist. St. Bonaventure Monastery 1740 Mt. Elliott Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48207
----------------------------------------------
THE MESSENGER
Father Philip was a conscientious and zealous priest and pastor. At Detroit and Appleton he was ever ready to accompany the funerals to the cemetery to pronounce the last blessing over the deceased. But he was still more interested in the souls of the departed and dedicated to them all his free Masses.
As a religious Fr. Philip was of the austere type, exacting and rigorous with himself. He had already showed this trait when still in the world. With his entry of the Order this tendency naturally took still deeper root in his character.
Religious with such a make-up frequently have their difficulties with the practical working out of religious life. Their mistake consists mainly in this that they over emphasize one virtue to the exclusion of others. That has happened even to some of the saints (cf. Ideals of St. Francis, chapt. 7.).
Thus it was also with good Father Philip. His conscientious regard for the eleventh chapter of the Rule led him to be his own cook at the missions rather than take his meals at the Sisters. And thus he also had his difficulties with the characteristic virtue of the Order, poverty. The Superiors could hardly satisfy his conception of it.
He found the requirements of these virtues comparatively easy for himself and had not the least misgivings that it might require an almost heroic will power in others to practice them that way.
The tragic part of such experiences is this, that these good religious deprive themselves thereby to quite some extent of that peace and joy and consolation which religious life holds out for its servitors. Divine Providence doubtlessly turns these difficulties to their spiritual profit; yes we may even assume that It has to lead them this rough road in order to safeguard them against the natural reaction of their mistaken attitude. By not permitting them to realize their ideals it leads them to the desired goal. Another "Triumph of Failure"!
----------------------------------------------
Father Philip (John) Spies was born in Germany 1839. After his emigration to America he lived for a time in our parish at Mt. Calvary. He attended St. Lawrence College for a year. He was one of the little band of six who, undeterred by the desperate plight to which the conflagration of 1868 [1] had reduced the Capuchins at Mt. Calvary, determined to cast their lot with the destitute community. When the students left they remained and lodged in the laundry of the good Notre Dame Sisters. It was most likely in the chapel of the Sisters where they received the habit, 20 May 1869. He was ordained 21 September 1877 with Fathers Luke and Ignatius.
The first years of his priestly life were spent at Ft. Lee, New Jersey. He also labored at Detroit [2], where he had charge of the little parish at Greenfrield, at Appleton [3](Vicar,)St. Francis and Mt. Calvary [4]. Whilst at Mt. Calvary [5] he had charge ao St. Peters and St. Joseph. He died at Mt. Calvary 6 December 1906. His death was caused by bronchial pneumonia which he had contracted whilst answering a sick-call.
[1] "conflagration" = the fire that nearly completely destroyed the monastery building 26 December 1868.
[2] Detroit, Michigan, St. Bonaventure monastery.
[3] Appleton, Wisconsin, St. Joseph monastery and parish.
[4] Milwaukee, Wisconsin, St. Francis monastery and parish.
[5] Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin, Holy Cross monastery and parish, Also had charge of two neighboring parishes and still in charge of St. Joseph's.
This information was sent to me 28 November 1978, by Fr. Donald Wiest, O.F.M.Cap. Provincial Archivist. St. Bonaventure Monastery 1740 Mt. Elliott Avenue Detroit, Michigan 48207
----------------------------------------------
THE MESSENGER
Father Philip was a conscientious and zealous priest and pastor. At Detroit and Appleton he was ever ready to accompany the funerals to the cemetery to pronounce the last blessing over the deceased. But he was still more interested in the souls of the departed and dedicated to them all his free Masses.
As a religious Fr. Philip was of the austere type, exacting and rigorous with himself. He had already showed this trait when still in the world. With his entry of the Order this tendency naturally took still deeper root in his character.
Religious with such a make-up frequently have their difficulties with the practical working out of religious life. Their mistake consists mainly in this that they over emphasize one virtue to the exclusion of others. That has happened even to some of the saints (cf. Ideals of St. Francis, chapt. 7.).
Thus it was also with good Father Philip. His conscientious regard for the eleventh chapter of the Rule led him to be his own cook at the missions rather than take his meals at the Sisters. And thus he also had his difficulties with the characteristic virtue of the Order, poverty. The Superiors could hardly satisfy his conception of it.
He found the requirements of these virtues comparatively easy for himself and had not the least misgivings that it might require an almost heroic will power in others to practice them that way.
The tragic part of such experiences is this, that these good religious deprive themselves thereby to quite some extent of that peace and joy and consolation which religious life holds out for its servitors. Divine Providence doubtlessly turns these difficulties to their spiritual profit; yes we may even assume that It has to lead them this rough road in order to safeguard them against the natural reaction of their mistaken attitude. By not permitting them to realize their ideals it leads them to the desired goal. Another "Triumph of Failure"!
----------------------------------------------
Father Philip (John) Spies was born in Germany 1839. After his emigration to America he lived for a time in our parish at Mt. Calvary. He attended St. Lawrence College for a year. He was one of the little band of six who, undeterred by the desperate plight to which the conflagration of 1868 [1] had reduced the Capuchins at Mt. Calvary, determined to cast their lot with the destitute community. When the students left they remained and lodged in the laundry of the good Notre Dame Sisters. It was most likely in the chapel of the Sisters where they received the habit, 20 May 1869. He was ordained 21 September 1877 with Fathers Luke and Ignatius.
The first years of his priestly life were spent at Ft. Lee, New Jersey. He also labored at Detroit [2], where he had charge of the little parish at Greenfrield, at Appleton [3](Vicar,)St. Francis and Mt. Calvary [4]. Whilst at Mt. Calvary [5] he had charge ao St. Peters and St. Joseph. He died at Mt. Calvary 6 December 1906. His death was caused by bronchial pneumonia which he had contracted whilst answering a sick-call.
[1] "conflagration" = the fire that nearly completely destroyed the monastery building 26 December 1868.
[2] Detroit, Michigan, St. Bonaventure monastery.
[3] Appleton, Wisconsin, St. Joseph monastery and parish.
[4] Milwaukee, Wisconsin, St. Francis monastery and parish.
[5] Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin, Holy Cross monastery and parish, Also had charge of two neighboring parishes and still in charge of St. Joseph's.
Inscription
Fr. Spies was an Order of Franciscan Minor Capuchin. H was a Capuchin for 37 years, a Priest for 29 years.
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