The Feast of St. Frederick, Bishop of Utrecht, Martyr

St. Frederick, Bishop of Utrecht, Martyr is the Patron Saint of Against deafness

St. Frederick, Bishop of Utrecht, Martyr Date of Birth, Country of Birth, Profession, Place of Work, Date of Death, Place of Death, Feast Day, Beatification Date, Canonization DateMatrimony/Holy OrdersBishops who became Saints

St. Frederick, Bishop of Utrecht, Martyr Short life History

St. Frederick, Bishop of Utrecht, Martyr was Bishop of Utrecht between 815/816 and 834/838 AD.

He was born around 780 in Friesland and was a grandson of the Frisian King Radboud.

At a young age he was taught at Utrecht by the clergy, including Bishop Ricfried. After completing his studies he was ordained priest and put in charge of converting the remaining heathens in the northern areas of the diocese, but also in areas outside of the diocese.

After the death of Ricfried in 815/816, Frederick was chosen as Bishop of Utrecht.

It has been established that he was murdered, but by whom and why is unclear. Some said that he was stabbed by two men after the offering of the Mass on 18 July 838. According to the 11th and 12th century writers Bishop Otbert of Liège (Passio Frederici) and William of Malmesbury, the killers were hired by Empress Judith, because of Frederick’s regular criticism of her dissolute way of life.

Later writers like Cesare Baronio and Jean Mabillon write that the inhabitants of Walcheren, who were hostile to Christianity, sent them as a response to Frederick’s preaching there.

Today’s Catholic Quote:

St. Frederick, Bishop of Utrecht, Martyr died in a few minutes, reciting that verse of Psalm 144, “I will praise the Lord in the land of the living”.