
Frederick W. Marks, R.I.P.
This January we lost our beloved contributing editor Frederick W. Marks, who went to his reward after suffering a lengthy illness. A biblical scholar par excellence, he was the author of several books of apologetics, including A Brief for Belief: The Case for Catholicism (1999), The Gift of Pain (2012), Think and Believe (2012), and Confessions of a Catholic Street Evangelist (2017). An American historian, he taught at the University of Michigan, Purdue University, and St. John’s University, and he wrote several books and scholarly articles on diplomatic history, including Independence on Trial: Foreign Affairs and the Making of the Constitution (1973), Velvet on Iron: The Diplomacy of Theodore Roosevelt (1979), Wind Over Sand: The Diplomacy of Franklin Roosevelt (1988), and Power and Peace: The Diplomacy of John Foster Dulles (1993). He is survived by his wife of 57 years and their daughter, a Dominican Sister of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.
In Fred’s memory, we offer this prayer, which was particularly close to his heart:
May He support us all the day long,
till the shades lengthen,
and the evening comes,
and the busy world is hushed,
and the fever of life is over,
and our work is done!
Then in His mercy may
He give us safe lodging,
and a holy rest,
and peace at the last!
St. John Henry Newman, Sermon 20
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