Abbot John Pereira and the monks of Mount St Benedict report the sad news of the passing away of Fr Francis Friesen in Berchmanianum, Holland on Sunday, January 29. (Berchmanianum is a home for retired and infirmed priests and male religious).

He had suffered a massive heart attack the night before. Fr Francis may best be remembered for his extraordinary grasp of Holy Scripture and his appreciation of the new wave of biblical criticism which he imparted with great enthusiasm to many novices and seminarians in the aftermath of the second Vatican Council.

Born on May 1, 1921 , he was looking forward to the celebration of his 85 th birthday later this year. He professed his vows at Mount St Benedict on October 5, 1947 and was ordained to the priesthood on May 10, 1950 .

As a young priest he was sent to Louvain University in Belgium , where he studied the biblical languages from 1959 to 1961. Later Fr Francis received the Diploma in Bible Studies and Biblical Archaeology from the Dominican Bible Institute in Jerusalem. He then went to the Benedictine College in Rome , Sant' Anselmo, where he continued his biblical studies and received the Doctorate in Theology (Exegesis).

At Mount St Benedict, his life was centred around the formation of the young monks and seminarians who were then under the charge of the Benedictines. He was Rector of Studies for the monastery and the seminary. He also did yeoman service in the building up of the monastery library and later the seminary library.

Fr Francis also did tremendous work in Jamaica . He taught Scripture at St Michael's Seminary there and was also involved in parochial activity. He worked in the parish of Seaford Town for many years, and he is fondly remembered there up to this day.

In 1978 he established a Vocational School as a Church-State venture, the money coming from the Bishops of Germany. There was an arrangement between the Diocese and the Government. The Government paid the salaries of the teachers and the diocese provided the land. The German Bishops sponsored the buildings.

The Jamaican Government regarded the infrastructure development (access roads, electricity, water pipes, etc.) as a model for the rest of Jamaica.

Episcopal Conference of 1967, taken in Montego Bay when Fr Francis Friesen was one of the secretaries, serving especially the Dutch-speaking bishops who needed help with translation into English. From Mt St Benedict archives.

Fr Francis working at his device which allowed him to read the Catholic News up to his last days.

The name of the school was Seaford Town Industrial Training Centre, but later the name was change to St Boniface Vocational School, bringing out the Benedictine connection. The English Benedictine, St Boniface was the apostle of Germany.

A few years later another venture was launched, this time in the medical field. This was called Sacred Heart Clinic to care for a large section of the people in the interior of Western Jamaica. This was also on the property of the Church and built by the German bishops.

All this time, Fr Francis had hoped that this would be the beginning of a new Benedictine foundation outside Trinidad.

A museum was also established between the rectory and the church, showing the background of the people in the mission. There was always a stream of visitors, local and foreign. It was also a welcome source of income for the mission.

In May 1986 Fr Francis had a breakdown and was hospitalised in Montego Bay. He went completely blind in two days time. He then resigned from the mission and Bishop Clarke gave him the last sacraments. Friends insisted that he should go to Holland for treatment, if he would survive.

His niece came from Holland to fetch him and travelled with him to Holland where he was hospitalised in the Harbour Hospital in Rotterdam. He remained totally blind in one eye and partially in the other. He then found refuge in Berchmanianum on September 1, 1986.

One of his disappointments in life was the non-establishment of a Benedictine foundation from Trinidad in Jamaica . His hopes came to an end when the Benedictines chose to establish a monastic foundation in Guyana.

Although living away from the monastery of Mount St Benedict for several years (first in Jamaica and then in Holland ), Fr Francis always considered himself one with the monks at Mount St Benedict. While in Jamaica he received several monks from Trinidad as co-workers in his mission there and as friends.

In Berchmanianum, he continued his correspondence with the Abbey in Trinidad and would often receive monks from Trinidad on their trips to Europe. He kept up with all the happenings at the Abbey in Trinidad and was an avid reader of the Catholic News. He read up to his last days assisted by a device specially designed for the visually challenged.

His mind was sharp to the end and he had a great sense of humour. We will all miss his wonderful personality and ready wit. The Abbot and monks request the prayers of the faithful.

May he rest in peace.