Fr. Jerome Frey

1924 - 2016

Fr. Jerome Frey, CJC, a native of New Orleans and founder of the Community of Jesus Crucified, died at Iberia Medical Center in New Iberia, Louisiana on Saturday, July 23, 2016. He was 92 years old. Fr. Frey was one of nine children born to Andrew Francis Frey, Sr. and Marie Therese DeRose Frey on July 19, 1924. From 1944-1950, Fr. Frey attended Marist College in Washington, D.C. and there completed his philosophy and theology studies. He professed perpetual vows on September 8, 1947 and was ordained a priest on the Feast of Corpus Christi, June 8, 1950 at Marist College, Washington, D.C. In 1950 Fr. Frey became the spiritual director at Immaculata Seminary where he remained until 1955. Then he was assigned to Marist College in Washington to teach dogmatic theology and while there earned a S.T.L. from Catholic University of America. In 1956 he was assigned as spiritual director at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans and also taught theodicy and theology where he remained until 1960 when he was sent to Rome for doctoral studies. In 1960 he earned a doctorate in ecclesiology from the Angelicum. He then returned in 1961 to Notre Dame Seminary where he again served as spiritual director and professor of theology. Fr. Frey's longstanding desire for the missions was finally realized in 1966 when he was sent to the Tangarare Mission in South Solomons. From 1968-1969 he taught with the Society of the Divine Word at the Holy Spirit Regional Seminary in New Guinea. In 1970 he began the Marist College in New Guinea, the first theologate of its kind in the South Pacific. He served as rector there until 1973 when he returned to the United States. In 1979, Fr. Frey returned to the Diocese of Lafayette as spiritual director of the Cursillo movement in Prairie Ronde where he served until 1988. In 1980 he began the Community of Jesus Crucified, and in 1988 he began a religious house of formation for the CJC. On September 14, 1990 he professed vows in the Community of Jesus Crucified. Fr. Frey was a well-known mission preacher and retreat master, giving hundreds of retreats, Missions, and workshop on spirituality over the course of his years as priest. He was spiritual director to hundreds of laity, religious and priests. His missionary drive and calling remained ever present as he initiated numerous apostolic initiatives in nursing homes, housing projects, prisons, and institutions, always striving to address unmet needs. Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 27, from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM and on Thursday July 28, from 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM at Mater Dolorosa Chapel, 103 Railroad Avenue, in St. Martinville. Visitation will resume on Friday, July 29, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette from 1:00 PM until time of service. A Rosary will be prayed on Wednesday and Thursday at 7:00 PM at Community of Jesus Crucified. The Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 29, at 3:00 PM in the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, with Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel, D.D. presiding, and the priests of the Diocese of Lafayette concelebrating. Fr. Michael Champagne, CJC will be the homilist. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Survivors include his sister, Marie Frey Baehr; sisters-in-law, Wanda DeNux Frey, Anita Cucullu Frey and Barbara Guidry Frey; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Rev. Andre' Metrejean, Deacon Jim Davis, Robert Frey, Adam Jumonville, John Herpin and Dewey Godeaux. He was preceded in death by his parents, six brothers, the Most Reverend Gerard Frey, Bishop of Lafayette, Monsignor Andrew Frey, Charles Frey, James Frey, Louis Frey and Robert Frey; a sister, Anna Mae Frey; a brother-in-law, Dr. Alden Baehr; and a sister-in-law, Leonora Klopf Frey. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Community of Jesus Crucified. View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com. Martin & Castille-DOWNTOWN-330 St. Landry St., Lafayette, LA 70506, 337-234-2311