St. Frederick was the beloved bishop of Utrecht who challenged his flock—including the empress Judith of Bavaria—to live a Christian way of life. Frederick was born around 780.

Frederick was prepared for his pastoral vocation at a young age. He was ordained a priest and sent to a mission diocese in the northern region of the Netherlands and Germany. In the more rural areas, incestuous relationships were common, and Frederick worked hard to change this tradition. This caused many of the villagers to resent Frederick.

Frederick was appointed the Bishop of Utrecht around 815. It was in this role that he called upon the empress Judith to cease her debaucherous lifestyle at court. Either the empress or disgruntled members of his congregation hired hitmen to do away with Frederick.The latter is most likely.

Frederick was assassinated on July 18 , 838, after celebrating Mass at the Cathedral in Utrecht. His dying words were those of psalmist: “I will praise the Lord in the land of the living.” Frederick is the patron saint of the deaf.

St. Frederick, bishop and martyr who called his flock to conversion—pray for us!
Image credit: Engraving of St. Frederick by Frederik Bloemaert, ca. 1630