Brother Jerome Sell Higgins, OFM Cap., peacefully passed on Wednesday, December 19, 2022 at the age of 94 at Villa Loretto Nursing Home in Mount Calvary, WI.

Br. Jerry was born John Forest Higgins in Madison, Wisconsin on February 7, 1928. He is the only child of William Jerome Higgins and Dora Augusta (Sell). His childhood was from an era of real candles on the Christmas tree (a beloved season of Br Jerry), threshing crews on the farm, and attending a one-room schoolhouse.

Education was ever-present in Br. Jerry's life. He gained inspiration as far back as his teachers in elementary school, the Dominican sisters of Sinsinawa, and also his father who received his master's degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. In his senior year of high school, he transferred to St. Lawrence Seminary after telling Sister Mary Magdalene about his desire to become a priest. He completed high school and a year of college at Mount Calvary, and with the support of his Capuchin teachers at St. Lawrence, he was accepted to the Capuchins.

Br. Jerry was invested with the Capuchin habit on August 31, 1947 and took his first vows on September 1, 1948. He professed his perpetual vows on September 1, 1951 and was ordained to the priesthood on September 8, 1954.

Inspired by the teachers in his life, Br. Jerry committed to the ministry of education. After ordination, his first ministry was as the Vocation Director for the Province of St. Joseph, where he traveled, met with families and talked with prospective students to attend St. Lawrence Seminary.

In 1967, Br. Jerry moved to Minnesota to minister as a chaplain at Cretin High School. He would minister as a chaplain and a coach in the local high school as he became involved in with other catholic groups. He was involved with the Cursillo movement, the National Marriage Encounter, and he was a chaplain for the Knights of Columbus. During his ministry, he would also continue his own studies. In 1969 he graduated from Marquette University with a Masters in Education, in 1987 he received a Masters in Applied Spirituality from the University of San Francisco, and he received a Doctorate in Ministry from Catholic Theological Union in 1999.

From 1989 until 2003, Br. Jerry served on the faculty at Sacred Heart Seminary in Hales Corners, WI. During his travels and various ministries, Br. Jerry sought opportunities to broaden his education, insights, and understanding.

In 2003, Br. Jerry retired to St. Lawrence Seminary while continuing to serve as a chaplain to the local religious sisters and assisting the student body with Spiritual Direction and confession. During his travels and various ministries, Br. Jerry sought opportunities to broaden his education, insights, and understanding.

He is preceded in death by his father William Jerome Higgins and his mother Dora Augusta. He is survived by his many Capuchin brothers with whom he lived, prayed, and ministered for over 73 years.

A Liturgy Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 28 at St. Lawrence Seminary Chapel, 301 Church St., Mount Calvary, WI.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM until 10:45 AM on Wednesday, December 28th at the Seminary Chapel

For further details, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in St. Cloud (920) 999-2291 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net.