Rev. Felix Lorge (1921-2024)
Father Felix Lorge
Rev. Felix P. Lorge (1921-2024)
Father Felix P. Lorge, 102, passed away on May 11, 2024.
Lorge was born in Niederkorn, Luxembourg, on September 23, 1921. When he was five, his family immigrated to the United States, settling in New York City.
He studied at St. Mary College in North East, Penn. (now Mercyhurst University). In 1941, he joined the Redemptorists order and entered St. Mary Novitiate in Ilchester, Md. He studied theology at Mount St. Alphonsus in Esopus, NY. He was ordained on June 18, 1950, by Bishop Stephen Donahue at Mount St. Alphonsus. He spent the first few years of his priesthood teaching at his alma mater and later received a Master’s in European History from the Catholic University of America.
Inspired by Cardinal Spellman’s call for more military priests, he applied for military chaplaincy in 1953. He became an Air Force chaplain, serving airmen and their families in Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, New Jersey, South Carolina, Spain, Korea, Japan, and Korea. Finally, he was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane, Wash.
In 1981, he concluded two decades of military chaplaincy and began ministering in the Diocese of Spokane, where he was appointed the parish administrator at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in St. John and St. Joseph in Lacrosse.
Father Lorge became pastor of St. Patrick in Colfax in 1985. He left the Redemptorists a year later and was incardinated into the Diocese of Spokane. Over the course of two decades, his service extended beyond the church, touching the lives of the entire Colfax community. His legacy of faith remains a testament to his profound impact, even after his well-deserved retirement in 2005 at the age of 84.
In his retirement, Father Lorge continued his priestly ministry, dedicating himself to assisting with Masses at Immaculate Heart Retreat Center, Emilie Court, and other institutions. He was a priest for 73 years.
Father Lorge's funeral mass will be held at Immaculate Heart Retreat Center (6910 S Ben Burr Rd, Spokane, WA 99223) on May 17, at 10:00 a.m. Committal will follow the Funeral Mass at the adjacent Queen of Peace Cemetery.
