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.
FATHER EDWARD DE BRUIN SDS Born September 7, 1927 - Died March 26, 2001 Father Edward De Bruin (birth name: Leo Joseph) was born in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, in 1927. He attended Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz, and then entered the Society's Novitiate there in 1946. During the year, the Novitiate moved to Menominee, Michigan, where he made his profession of vows on September 8, 1947. He completed his studies for the priesthood at Catholic University in Washington, DC, and was ordained in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on June 6, 1953. He served as teacher, dean of students, and then principal of Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey; and as Director of Education for the province, while working at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland. In September 1967 he was elected Provincial. During his six years in office, the province went through its most difficult period of the 20th century. Tough decisions needed to be made because of the province's financial reorganization, and the Church was experiencing a great exodus from the priesthood and religious life. Fr. Edward led the province with a strong but gentle hand through the difficulties. At the completion of his terms, he entered into hospital ministry in Arizona, where he remained until 1994, the last four of which were in retirement. While there, he also served as the province's Novice Master, and on the Formation Commission. He moved to Jordan Hall in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1994, and then to St. Mary's Home in Manitowoc in 1998. He died there peacefully on March 26, 2001, and he was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. In "The Moment of Grace," the two-volume study of the history of the USA Province, it states, "As Provincial, Fr. Edward galvanized the community to face the twin challenges of financial collapse and internal renewal...The universal love and gratitude his confreres felt for him was movingly expressed at the 1992 Centennial Convocation when the mention of his name provoked a long standing ovation, and tears on the part of more than a few - this more than twenty years after he had laid down the burdens of office." He will always be remembered fondly for his courage and his dedication to the Society and its members.
FATHER JOHN JOSEPH DE GROOT SDS Born August 22, 1921 - Died September 2, 1985 Father John Joseph De Groot was born on August 22, 1921, in Escanaba, Michigan. He attended Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, where he completed his high school studies and the first two years of college. In 1941, he entered the Novitiate there, and the following year he made his profession of vows on September 8, 1942. He finished his studies for the priesthood at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, and Catholic University in Washington, DC, and he was ordained in St. Ambrose Chapel in St. Nazianz, on June 4, 1948. Following ordination, while continuing his studies at Marquette University in Milwaukee, he lived with the community at Mother of Good Counsel Parish and helped there when needed. In 1949, he returned to St. Nazianz, where he taught and was dean of studies. For six years, Father John was principal and teacher at Jordan High School in Milwaukee, after which he returned to St. Nazianz, as a teacher in the seminary, and also as the Superior and treasurer of the community. In 1982, he went to Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Kiel, as associate pastor for a year, and then he ministered in the Catholic Interparish Ministry in Chilton. He died very suddenly on Labor Day, September 2, 1985, the week that the community at St. Nazianz was readying to close its doors and move the retired members to new quarters in Milwaukee. He was buried in the community cemetery on Loretto Hill. An intelligent man and a gifted teacher, Fr. John was known for his dry wit and subtle humor. Friendly and warm, he was a ready listener, a humble priest, and a gentle leader. He had returned to his baptismal name, but for many years he was known in religious life by the name "Alban."
FATHER EPIPHANIUS DEIBELE SDS Born May 17, 1873 - Died November 6, 1936 Father Epiphanius Deibele (birth name: Albert) was born in Waeschenbeuren, Germany, in 1873. He entered the Novitiate of the Society in 1890 in Rome, Italy, and made his profession of vows on December 3, 1891. He received his theology degree from the Gregorian University, and a degree in Canon Law from the University of St. Apollinaris. In 1895, he was ordained a priest in the Lateran Basilica, and in the following year, he came to the United States with the Founder, Fr. Francis Jordan, and several others. The Founder appointed him as the first Superior of the new community in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. Fr. Epiphanius devoted his life to the development and growth of the Salvatorian community and its ministries. He also directed the remaining years of the original community founded by the late Fr. Ambrose Oschwald, which had also been placed under his care. In 1898, he built St. Ambrose Chapel and in 1908, the monastery building. Under his direction, Salvatorian Seminary flourished, fulfilling one of the greatest desires of the Founder. From 1909 to 1919, Fr. Epiphanius served as the first Provincial of the Anglo-American Province. Through the years, he was pastor of several parishes in the St. Nazianz area in addition to his work in the community. After forty years of dedicated and tireless ministry, he died following a lingering throat illness on November 6, 1936. His funeral Mass in St. Ambrose was attended by so many people that the chapel could not contain them all, so much was he loved by those who had come to know him. He was buried in the community cemetery on Loretto Hill.
FATHER JOSEPH DERKS SDS Born July 14, 1911 - Died August 8, 1994 Father Joseph Derks (birth name: Theophilus "Teddy" Anthony) was born in 1911 in Covington, Kentucky. His family moved to Kimberly, Wisconsin, just outside Appleton, when he was very small. He attended Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz for high school and the first two years of college, after which he entered the Society's Novitiate there in 1932. He made his profession of vows on September 8, 1933. He completed his studies for the priesthood at Catholic University in Washington, DC, where he was ordained to the priesthood in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on June 7, 1938. From 1939 to 1945, he was a teacher, Glee Club director, and athletic director in the seminary in St. Nazianz. In 1945 he was assigned as associate pastor of Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Milwaukee, and in 1953, he became pastor. He remained in this assignment until his retirement in 1983 - a total of thirty-eight years of ministry to the parish. In 1993, he moved to Jordan Hall, after having lived several years in an apartment with another Salvatorian priest. Diagnosed with cancer several months before his death, he moved to St. Mary's Nursing Home, where he died on August 8, 1944. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. A tall man with a stately demeanor, Fr. Joe is remembered for his tremendous dedication to his parish. He never lost sight of his call to serve, and to preach a gospel of love and forgiveness. He was a "hands-on" priest who enjoyed being involved in every aspect of parish life, from celebrating the sacraments to getting out and mowing the lawns. He was warm and outgoing, a down-to-earth man who gave witness to what he preached.
FATHER ROMUALD DIBBLE SDS Born June 5, 1919 - Died January 10, 1998 Father Romuald Dibble (birth name: Andrea Bernard) was born June 5, 1919, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received his high school education in Steuben, Washington, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He studied at the University of Chicago, the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, and Marquette University in Milwaukee, before entering the Society's Novitiate in St. Nazianz in 1941. He made his profession of vows on September 8, 1942. He completed his studies for the priesthood at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, and Catholic University in Washington, DC, where he was ordained in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on June 10, 1947. From 1948 to 1953, he lived with the community in Lanham while pursuing advanced studies. During his years of ministry, Fr. Romuald was associate pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin; guidance counselor and teacher at St. Mary's High School in Lancaster, New York; director of the Bishop Garrigan Retreat House in Sioux City, Iowa; teacher at Mother Mary Mission in Phenix, Alabama; teacher and spiritual director at Mount St. Paul College in Waukesha, Wisconsin; hospital chaplain in Phoenix, Arizona; associate pastor of St. Ann's Parish in Milwaukee; hospital chaplain in Tuscon, Arizona; and coordinator for Salvatorian Spirituality. For three years, he asisted at Holy Rosary Parish in New Holstein, when a diabetic condition began to become more aggressive. He semi-retired to the community at Mother of Good Counsel in Milwaukee, until 1989, when more supervised health care was required for his condition. He lived for a time at the Jordan House community in Milwaukee, then at St. Mary's Nursing Home, and finally at St. Mary's Home in Manitowoc, where he died on January 10, 1998. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Fr. Romuald is remembered as an intellectually brillian man who was also a gentle and pastoral priest. He was a man of joy and delghtful humor, who enjoyed the company of all people - both within and outside the community.
BROTHER MODESTUS DIECKMANN SDS Born October 23, 1905 - Died May 6, 1981 Brother Modestus Dieckmann (birth name: Rudolf) was born in 1905 in Buelstrigen, Germany. He came from a farm family of nine children. After completing his elementary education and two years in an agriculture school, he joined the Society in Klausheide, and spent his Novitiate year in Sennelager. He made his profession of vows on Christmas Day in 1923. After two years of working on the community farm in Klausheide, he was sent to the United States in 1925, to St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, where he worked in the Publishing Department. Six years later, he was asked to be in charge of orchards and the many gardens on the monastery and seminary property. He supplied both the community and the seminary students with many vegetables and fruits until 1948, when he was assigned to work in the vineyard of the Motherhouse in Rome, Italy. He was there for seventeen years, and he met many Salvatorians from around the world who visited or lived in that community. In 1965, he returned to St. Nazianz as reflectorian and sacristan, and he once again worked in the numerous gardens and in the community cemetery. Bro. Modestus loved the outdoors and he made the grounds of the seminary and monastery a beautiful landscape of flowers, trees and shrubs. Known as a kind and gentle man who always had a smile, he died peacefully on May 6, 1981, and was buried in the cemetery he had taken care of for so many years. Among his personal possessions found after his death was a collection of poems he had written through the years, but kept them in the privacy of his own heart. One of those poems, one called "Keep Smiling," made its debut at his funeral liturgy.
FATHER MICHAEL DILMORE SDS Born March 11, 1915 - Died July 26, 1987 Father Michael Dilmore (birth name: Paul Aloysius) was born in 1915 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He entered the Society in 1937 in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, after finishing his college and pholosophy studies at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He made his profession of vows on September 8, 1938. He continued with his theology studies at Catholic University in Washington, DC, and was ordained in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on December 19, 1941, barely two weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the country's entry into World War II. In his first assignment, he taught in the seminary in St. Nazianz, and ministered in parishes on the weekends. He then helped in the mission parishes in Oregon - Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Jordan, St. Bernard's Parish in Scio, and St. Thomas Parish in Jefferson, and at the same time he taught Latin and Physics in the local Catholic high school. For a time, he helped to raise funds for the Salvatorian Mission House in Elkton, Maryland, and then returned to teaching at Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey; at Jordan Seminary in Menominee, Michigan; at Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin; and at Mount St. Paul College in Waukesha. For six years, he was engaged in pastoral work in the neighboring parishes around Menominee, Michigan, and was Superior of the community there. Then Fr. Michael served as chaplain at St. Joseph's- Lloyd Hospital in Menominee. In his final assignment, he was pastor of St. Therese's Parish in Carlsbad, Texas, when ill health forced him to retire. He moved to Roswell, New Mexico, where he remained until his death on July 26, 1987. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. A tall man with a deep bass voice, he is remembered as a dedicated teacher and a gentle minister who cared deeply for people.
FATHER ODO DISTEL SDS Born May 21, 1873 - Died December 7, 1934 Father Odo Distel (birth name: Francis Seraphicus) was born in Pfaffenhofen, Bavaria, in 1873. He entered the Society in 1893 when he was 21 years old. He made his profession of vows in 1896, and was ordained a priest in Rome, Italy, in 1900. After his ordination, he was sent to England to establish the first Salvatorian community there, and to found St. Joseph's Parish in Wealdstone. He was Superior of the new foundation for its first few years, and in 1904, he was assigned to the college in Hamont, Belgium, as a teacher. In May 1907, he was called back to Rome to do various tasks for the Superior General and the council, and in 1908 he returned to England. In November 1910, he was sent to the United States, to St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. For the next twenty-four years, Fr. Odo held numerous offices, such as consultor to the Provincial, local Superior, associate novice master and director of the Brother candidates, dean of discipline in the seminary, and teacher. As associate novice master for the Brothers and as their spiritual director for many years, they noted that he had a unique method of preaching only short sermons with words, but he spoke volumes by his example. One striking characteristic he instilled in those he taught was absolute fidelity to one's duty and one's call. He always seemed to be "the right person in the right place at the right time," and was respected by all who knew him. He died suddenly from a heart ailment while resting in his room, on December 7, 1934. Fr. Odo is remembered for his kindness and his exemplary manner of living religious life. Those who were guided by him through the years remember him as one of [the] saintliest people they ever knew.
FATHER FREDERICK DORN SDS Born July 23, 1900 - Died January 11, 1995 Father Frederick Dorn (birth name: George Edward) was born in 1900 in St. Anna, Wisconsin, not far from St. Nazianz. He was the first member of the USA Province to be born in the 1900's. He attended Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz for high school and the first two years of college, after which he entered the Novitiate there. He made his profession of vows on September 9, 1921. He was sent to study philosophy and theology in Passau, Bavaria, and he was ordained in the cathedral there on April 11, 1926. His early ministries included teaching languages in the seminary in St. Nazianz, and in Jordan College in Menominee, Michigan, where he was also the Superior. Later, he became the Superior of the house of studies in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before returning to St. Nazianz for a short time. During World War II, Fr. Frederick served as chaplain to the soldiers, serving on Air Force bases in Virginia and Hawaii. He remained a reserve chaplain until 1960, when he retired from the service with the rank of Major and received the Bronze Star. Following World War II, he was sent to help found Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey; then he ministered at Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and was pastor of St. Gregory's Parish in St. Nazianz. He returned to Blackwood for six years, as teacher in the seminary and as the community's Superior. Then he taught at Trinity Prep Seminary in Sioux City, Iowa, followed by chaplaincy ministries in St. Vincent Hospital in Sioux City; St. Ann's Hospital in Algona; and St. Anne's hospital in Winona, Minnesota. He was associate pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Oshkosh, Wisconsin; and pastor in Grand Ronde, Oregon. In 1982, he retired to St. Nazianz, Wisconsin, and then to the Jordan House in Milwaukee. In 1991, he went to St. Mary's Nursing Home and later to St. Mary's Home in Manitowoc where he died peacefully on January 11, 1995. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Fr. Frederick is remembered as a strong and active man who loved to take long, brisk walks. As a teacher, he liked order and decorum in the classroom, his military manner guiding him both within the services and outside it. He graciously ministered to the community in many ways, including translating some of the older German documents from the province's early history.
FATHER CORMAC DWYER SDS Born March 9, 1919 - Died April 4, 1996 Father Cormac Dwyer (birth name: James Michael) was born on March 9, 1919, in Kendall, Wisconsin, a small community in the western part of the state, east of LaCrosse. After attending the local high school, he went to the Salvatorian Seminary in St. Nazianz for the first two years of college. He entered the Novitiate there in 1943, and made his profession of vows the following year, on September 8, 1944. He then completed his studies for the priesthood at Divine Savior Seminary in Lanham, Maryland, and Catholic University in Washington, DC, where he was ordained in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on June 6, 1950. His years of ministry included teaching at Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey, where he was dean of discipline, vocation director, and procurator for the community; vocation director for the midwest while living at St. Pius X Parish in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and then Trinity Prep Seminary in Sioux City, Iowa; public relations work at Salvatorian Center in New Holstein, Wisconsin; and associate pastor of Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Milwaukee. He was trained and certified in hospital chaplaincy in 1983, and he worked in St. Joseph's Hospital in Milwaukee until January of 1996, when he retired to the Jordan Hall community. He died there suddenly on April 4, 1996, and he was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Fr. Cormac is remembered as a man of quick wit and humor, who loved to tell stories and to make people laugh. He was also a compassionate chaplain who brought deep faith to those in his care.
BROTHER MAURUS ELLERY SDS Born March 28, 1921 - Died December 8, 2005 Brother Maurus Eller (birth name: Harold Eugene) was born on March 28, 1921, in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He was the only child of Joseph and Hilda Ellery. When he was only eight years old, his mother died of cancer. His father would later remarry, and the family moved to Rapid City. Raised Methodist, he entered the Catholic Church in his first year of college. Two years later, while working at a hotel in Omaha, Nebraska, he saw an ad in a Catholic newspaper about the Salvatorian community in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. Interested, he went there for a visit and joined the community shortly afterward. He entered the Novitiate there and he made his profession of vows on September 8, 1943. For the next twenty years, Bro. Maurus' secretarial and accounting skills were put to good use; in St. Nazianz; at St. Pius X Parish in Wauwatosa; at Mother of the Savior Seminary in Blackwood, New Jersey; in the Provincial offices in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and in the Brothers Juniorate in Menominee, Michigan. Beginning in 1955, he also served as the Director of Vocations for Brothers during a time when vocations were thriving. He was instrumental in developing many pamphlets and brochures about religious life and vocations. He was one of the first Brothers in the Society to become part of a group that would eventually evolve into a national association of religious Brothers. In 1969, health issues prompted Bro. Maurus to move to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he worked as secretary in a local Catholic hospital. In 1999, he retired to Jordan Hall in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and followed in the community's move to Alexian Village, where he died peacefully on the anniversary of the Society's founding - December 8, 2005. He was buried in the community cemetery in St. Nazianz. Bro. Maurus is remembered as a quiet and soft-spoken man who nevertheless held strong views about the role of Brothers in community life, advocating changes both in their training and in the ministries in which they worked. Through his efforts, the Brothers were given many more opportunities for their various apostolates.
