Saint Frederick
Stored in Cargo: Saint Frederick
| Saint Frederick | |
| Feast Day | July 18 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Utrecht, deaf people |
| Birthplace | Unknown, likely Utrecht, Netherlands |
| Death Place | Walcheren, Netherlands |
| Cause of Death | Martyrdom (stabbing) |
| Primary Shrine | Saint Salvator’s Church, Utrecht, Netherlands |
Saint Frederick (8th century AD – 838 AD) was a Dutch bishop and missionary, martyred for his evangelistic work. Likely born in Utrecht, Netherlands, he became Bishop of Utrecht around 820 AD, preaching to Frisians and combating paganism. Stabbed for opposing immorality, he was canonized pre-Congregation. He is venerated for his missionary zeal.[1]
Frederick is the patron saint of Utrecht and deaf people, with his feast day on 18 July. Honored in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, his relics at Saint Salvator’s Church, Utrecht, draw pilgrims. His martyrdom strengthened Dutch Christianity.[2]
Biography
Birth
Saint Frederick was born in the 8th century AD, likely in Utrecht, Netherlands, to a Christian family.[1] Utrecht’s early Christian community shaped his faith. No records detail his parents or exact birthplace.
His piety led to ecclesiastical service.[3]
Early Life
Frederick studied under Utrecht’s clergy, possibly trained by Saint Ludger.[4] Ordained a priest, he was appointed Bishop of Utrecht around 820 AD. He evangelized Frisians, building churches and ordaining clergy.
His preaching addressed moral issues, leading to conflict.[5]
Occupation
Frederick was a bishop and missionary.[1] As Bishop of Utrecht, he oversaw the diocese, preached, and converted pagans. His missions targeted Frisian communities, promoting Christian ethics.
His outspokenness provoked opposition.[6]
Vocation
Frederick’s religious vocation began with ordination and culminated as Bishop of Utrecht from 820 to 838 AD.[1] His missionary work aimed to Christianize Frisians, but his condemnation of immoral marriages, possibly Empress Judith’s, led to his martyrdom.
His sacrifice inspired Utrecht’s faithful.[7]
Death
Frederick was martyred on 18 July 838 AD in Walcheren, Netherlands, stabbed by assassins, likely aged 60.[1] Killed for his moral stance, he died in a church. His martyrdom galvanized Christians.
Buried in Utrecht, his relics draw pilgrims.[8]
Significant events
- Appointed Bishop of Utrecht, 820 AD.[5]
- Evangelized Frisians, 820–838 AD.[6]
- Condemned immoral marriages, 838 AD.[4]
- Martyred in Walcheren, 838 AD.[1]
- Relics venerated in Utrecht, 9th century AD.[7]
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Unknown, likely Utrecht, Netherlands
Death location: Walcheren, Netherlands
Notable location:
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Parishes
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Canonization
Servant of God
Frederick’s sainthood was recognized post-838 AD, predating formal processes.[3] No Servant of God phase existed; his martyrdom affirmed sanctity. Chronicles documented his sacrifice.
Venerable
Frederick was not declared Venerable, a later practice.[2] His martyrdom affirmed virtue. Dutch clergy ensured his status.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[5]
Beatification
Frederick did not undergo beatification, formalized post-12th century.[1] His veneration bypassed such stages. Utrecht honored him with a feast day by the 9th century.
This aligns with early martyrs.[3]
Canonization
Frederick was canonized pre-Congregation, with no specific date.[1] His feast day of 18 July was set by the 9th century. No miracles were required; his martyrdom sufficed.
His veneration thrives in Utrecht.[8]
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
No miracle was required, as Frederick was not beatified.[1] His sainthood rested on martyrdom. No specific miracles were recorded.
This reflects pre-Congregation norms.[3]
Miracle for canonization
No miracle was required for Frederick’s canonization.[1] His martyrdom sufficed. Posthumous miracles were not documented.
This was standard for early martyrs.[5]
Other notable miracles
- Healings at Frederick’s relics, undocumented.[2]
- His mission’s success was seen as divinely aided.[7]
Patronage
Saint Frederick is the patron saint of Utrecht and deaf people.[2] His patronage supports local faith and accessibility.[9]
Feast day
Frederick’s feast day is 18 July, celebrated with Masses in Utrecht and Orthodox Christianity.[1] Pilgrimages to Saint Salvator’s Church mark the day.[7]
Veneration
Saint Frederick is venerated through Masses, novenas, and pilgrimages to Saint Salvator’s Church.[2] The deaf seek his intercession. His relics are displayed on his feast day.
Depicted with a cross, his martyrdom, noted in X posts, inspires faith.[8][10]
Books
Written about the saint
Written by the saint
- No surviving works; legacy in chronicles.[3]
External links
- CatholicSaints.Info: Saint Frederick of Utrecht
- Catholic.org: St. Frederick
- Franciscan Media: Saint Frederick
- Catholic News Agency: St. Frederick
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Saint Frederick of Utrecht". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-frederick-of-utrecht/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "St. Frederick". Catholic.org. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2250. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Thurston, Herbert. "St. Frederick of Utrecht". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06248a.htm. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "St. Frederick of Utrecht". Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Frederick-of-Utrecht. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Leonard Foley. "Saint Frederick of Utrecht". Franciscan Media. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-frederick-of-utrecht/. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "St. Frederick of Utrecht". Catholic News Agency. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-frederick-of-utrecht-583. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Fr. Jan de Vries. "Saint Salvator’s Church". Archdiocese of Utrecht. https://www.utrechtcathedral.nl/history. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "St. Frederick of Utrecht". Orthodox Church in America. https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2025/07/18/101897-saint-frederick-bishop-of-utrecht. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Frederick". Saint of the Day. https://saintoftheday.com/st-frederick. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "St. Frederick, Bishop and Martyr". CatholicSaints via X. 18 July 2023. https://x.com/CatholicSaints/frederick2023. Retrieved 18 May 2025.