Branderis, Father Herman
1963, November 21
Date of Birth: 1893, September 6
Herman Branderis was born in Guayama, Puerto Rico, on September 6, 1893. His earliest school-years, 1904 to 1906, were in Guayama. In 1906 he went to the Colegio San Pablo in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and in 1908 to St. Charles College in Ellicott City, Maryland. After fire destroyed its buildings, he moved with the college to Catonsville, Maryland, and graduated in 1913. He took his Philosophy and his Theology at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore from 1913 to 1919, attaining his B.A. in 1914, and being ordained on May 29, 1919, by Cardinal Gibbons for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. In 1919-1920 he made his Solitude at Issy. While at Issy he was entrusted with the translation into English of Father Tanquerey’s Spiritual Life. With Father Arand’s help he completed the work given him by Father Tanquerey.
Father Branderis taught at St. Charles College from 1921 to 1926. From 1926 to 1935 he taught Church History and other subjects at St. Mary’s Seminary, Paca Street. In 1935 he joined the faculty of St. Mary’s Seminary, Roland Park, continuing for a time to teach at Paca Street while also teaching Patrology at Roland Park. In 1945 he took up pastoral work in the Diocese of Richmond. About a year before his death he retired, took up residence at St. Charles College until he was forced to go to St. Joseph’s Nursing Home in Catonsville. He died there on November 21, 1963.
Adapted from The Voice and from Father Branderis’ “Personal Data” sheet.