The National Shrine dedicated a stained glass window in honor of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, C.Ss.R. February 20. 2004. Father Seelos is depicted with his Mission Cross and a map of the United States. The window is a gift of Hector and Doris Ayuso and the National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos in New Orleans. Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia, presided at the liturgy, and the preacher was Father Donald Miniscalco, C.SS.R.

Fr. Seelos was born in Germany in 1819 and entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) in 1842. He was sent to the United States the following year and ordained to the priesthood in December 1844 at St. James Parish in Baltimore. Fr. Seelos served as a parish priest and missionary to German speaking immigrants throughout the Northeast and Midwest until being assigned pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in New Orleans in 1866. He died there in 1867, having contracted yellow fever while ministering to those suffering from the disease.

Pope John Paul II beatified Fr. Seelos April 9, 2000.