In the late evening hours of October 16, 2016, the merciful God called our brother, Fritz Tschol, at the age of 88 and in the 60th year of a rich, fulfilling life as a missionary at Xingu, to his eternal home.

Father Fritz was born on June 20, 1929. He entered the Missionaries of the Precious Blood in 1951. After completing his studies of philosophy and theology and priestly ordination in 1957, he went to Belém / Pará to begin his ministry as a missionary in the Brazilian Vicariate. In Belém he remained only for a few days, and then went on to Altamira and arrived there on 18 January 1958. There he spent his whole life. He was instrumental in building the church at Xingu, founding parishes and building churches, parish houses and community centers – especially after the opening of Transamazonia Highway in the 1970s.

His concern was above all for the poor and the marginalized of society. Until the day before his death, he supported people who came to his house to ask for help. He directed the construction of two residential districts, creating housing for distressed families. He also had a deep friendship with the indigenous tribes living around Altamira. For many years he lived for weeks in the aldeias (villages) of the different tribes.

He served the prelate at Xingu from 1971 to 2008 as Vicar General and Pastor of the Cathedral in Altamira, and at times also as pastor in Porto de Moz (at the mouth of Xingu in the Amazon), Medicilândia and Brasil Novo.

For more than 20 years he led the community in the vicariate as Vicariate Director, and then as the treasurer for the vicariate.

Fr. Fritz was a model for the confreres in all his years through his simple and modest lifestyle. He lived from a deep faith firmly rooted in the gospel and a deep love for Mary, the Mother of the Lord.

The confreres in the vicariate and in the province are mourning for Fr. Fritz, but gratitude prevails over all mourning. God completes his life and all his ministry in the fullness of the kingdom of God.

Father Fritz, peace in peace! Take our thanks and appreciation with you.

Obituary provided by the Teutonic Province.