Irenaeus Frederic Baraga was baptized and born June 29, 1797, in a castle at Malavas in a parish of Dobernice in Austrian Dukedom of Carniola. Frederic, as he preferred to be called to that of his first name, was the fourth child out of five to be born of Johann Nepomucene Baraga and Maria Katharine Josefa. Frederic's mother was heir to a vast fortune while Johann was not rich at all, but both of Frederic's parents were pious people, giving him a good foundation of faith. Both of Frederic's parents died while he was only sixteen years old when his mother died. When his father died in 1812, Frederic spent the rest of his childhood with the Catholic family of Dr George Dolinar , a layman and a professor who taught at a local diocesan clerical …show more content…
In 1805-1813 Slovenia was stormed and occupied by Napoleon and split from the Austrian provenance. So in addition to speaking German, Frederic learned to speak French as well as the standard required languages of Seminary Greek, and Latin. At twenty-four years of age, besides his native Slovenian, he knew how to speak four languages fluently. These different languages would help him tremendously when he came to America, where he learned another three languages: Ottawa, Chippewa, and English. In 1816, Frederic had entered in to the University of Vienna, which he came to graduate 5 years later with a degree in law. During his time at the University he came across the popular writings of a great Anti-Masonic author by the name of Clement Mary Hofbauer. He was greatly influenced by the spirituality of the notes, inflaming the heart of young Frederic. He began to start attending mass as often as possible, he started spending more hours in front of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. As time went on, while still a student, he felt the call to the priesthood. After Graduating from the University in 1821, he