Philippine E-Journals

In Memoriam

Bloemen U. Alphonsus

 

Abstract:

In the rich and fruitful farm lands of the low land of West Germany near the Dutch border, nestles the Catholic town of Geldern. It was here on September 9, 1906 that Michael Bloemen, later to become Brother Alphonsus, was born to good Catholic parents, Berhard Bloemen and his loving wife, Maria Basten. They had the child baptized the next day in the town's Catholic Church where he was given the name of Michael and his name was inscribed in the historic register. Years later, Brother would tell how his baptismal record was found in a register wherein could be found at least 9 officially canonized saints in the Church; he would say this because he was proud of the faith that characterized the very land from which he came.