Description

Frederick William Faber

Frederick William Faber was born of a family of Churchmen June 28, 1814, In England. He grew up in Westmorland and when of age he enrolled in Balliol College, Oxford. While there Frederick became a man conflicted. He had been brought up in the Church of England, but was persuaded by the doctrines and practices of Catholicism taught by John Henry Newman. 

Nevertheless, Frederick continued and received ordination in the Church of England. In 1843, He accepted a position at Elton. Not long after, he visited Rome and enjoyed an audience with the Pope. This meeting seemed to have “much effect on his mind.”

“After prolonged mental struggle” Faber left the Church of England and became a Catholic. In 1847, he was ordained a Catholic priest. 

Frederick William Faber was a passionate man, a talented poet and orator. After his conversion to Catholicism he wrote a poem in memory and tribute to those Catholic Martyrs who had died at the hands of Henry VIII and his successors. It was his ardent desire to remind all English Catholics of the price that had been paid for their faith—their holy faith. 

The hymn that Faber wrote that is so expressive of the man himself is titled Faith of Our Fathers. Today it has been widely adapted and personalized from Catholics to Protestants, and even to patriots. It has been published in over 800 hymnals as resounding call to never forget the price that was paid.  

Faith of our fathers, living still,

In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword;

Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy

Whene’er we hear that glorious word.

[Chorus]

Faith of our fathers, holy faith,

We will be true to thee till death!

 

Faith of our fathers, we will strive

To win all nations unto thee,

And thru the truth that comes from God,

Mankind shall then be truly free.

 

Faith of our fathers, we will love

Both friend and foe in all our strife,

And preach thee, too, as love knows how,

By kindly words and virtuous life.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_William_Faber

https://archive.org/details/a578614100fabeuoft/page/n59/mode/2up

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_William_Faber

https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.87374/page/n157/mode/2up

https://hymnary.org/text/faith_of_our_fathers_living_still

Copyright Glenn Rawson 2023