A
brief biography of Blessed Joseph Freinademetz Religious Priest
of the Divine Word Missionaries in China
The next two years were
hard, marked by long, arduous journeys, assaults by bandits
and filled with the difficult work of forming the first Christian
communities. As soon as a community was just barely developed
an instruction from the Bishop would arrive telling him to leave
everything and start anew.
Soon Joseph came to appreciate the importance of a committed
laity, and especially catechists, for first evangelisation.
He dedicated much energy to their formation and prepared a catechetical
manual in Chinese. At the same time, along with Anzer, who had
become bishop, he put great effort into the preparation, spiritual
formation and ongoing education of Chinese priests and other
missionaries.
At different times he served as Administrator for the Mission,
Rector of the seminary, Spiritual Director for the first group
of Chinese priests, and as Provincial Superior. He always exercised
his authority in a brotherly fashion, and the respect he received
came more from his example and life witness than from the dignity
of the office he held.
