Braving a pagan town
Frederick was born around the year 780 in Friesland in the Netherlands. He was grandson of King Radbon of the Frisians and was educated by the clergy where he grew up in Utrecht. During his growth and education he was reputed for wisdom and piety.
After being ordained a priest, he was charged by Bishop Ricfried with the responsibility of instructing converts. Around 825, he was chosen to succeed him as Bishop of Utrecht. St Frederick was zealous in his ministry as bishop. He sent missionaries – among them St Odulf – to the north of the country where paganism still flourished.
As a result of his courage in standing up to sin, he was not a popular prelate. He was also not afraid to deal with paganism personally. He left the most challenging tasks of evangelisation for himself and braved the barbarous town of Walcheren, which was particularly pagan and problematic, making more enemies throughout the region.
Offending an empress
He also made an enemy of Empress Judith, who was married to Emperor Louis the Debonair. The Empress and her husband were engaged in a disagreement with the Emperor’s sons, which St Frederick became involved in. During the feud the sons of Louis accused their stepmother Judith of a number of sins including adultery. When St Frederick rebuked Judith for her behaviour she became resentful towards him, though he endeavoured to be charitable and fair.
Stabbed after Mass
On July 18, 838, St Frederick was offering his thanksgiving after Mass when two assassins stabbed him to death. As he lay dying he is said to have recited Psalm 144: “I will praise the Lord in the land of the living.”
Although there is speculation that the assassins were hired by Empress Judith, it is more likely that they were sent from pagan Walcheren and were punishing the saint for his attack on their religion. St Frederick is the patron saint against
deafness.
