Brother DOMINIC of the Mother of God (Zeegers)
A fellow countryman of Fr. Charles Houben, he was born at Wassum-Blitterswyck, on 31st July 1815. He entered the Congregation at Aston Hall, Staffs., England, being received by Blessed Dominic Barberi. He took his first vows there on 23rd March 1850. A younger brother of his was already a CP, having being professed at Ere on 24th May 1848, and was stationed in Aston Hall when the elder brother arrived. He was Brother Alphonsus of St. Joseph.
At his death, Dominic was described as one who spoke little, and worked ‘like a man’. He was a man of all trades: brewed the beer (they drank beer at breakfast and dinner and supper in those days!), baked the bread, washed the clothes, worked in the garden. He also gave a hand in the Tailor’s Shop. He couldn’t stand being idle. He was ‘very kind and obliging to his fellow-religious’.
His final illness was inflammation of the lungs. It caused him much suffering, which he bore with great patience. This was at Broadway, Worcs., where he died on 8th August 1865, in the presence of all the community, having received the Last Sacraments.
He lies buried there in the Monastery Cemetery. God rest him!
Sources: Fr. Salvian Nardocci, C.P.: “Register …. 1842-1887”
Anglo-Hib. Province ‘Annals’ Vol II, pp. 114-5.