FRIEDHOFEN, PETER. — Founder of the Brothers of Mercy of Trier, b. at Weitersburg near Vallendar on 25 February 1819, d. at Coblenz on 27 December 1860. Having been orphaned of both parents at the age of nine, he worked as a chimney sweep. He soon devoted himself to founding pious associations; in 1850 he began one in his native region for the care of the sick, which was transferred the following year to Coblenz; having been formed in religious life among the Alexians of Aachen, he received the habit with a companion on 25 March 1851. At the time of his death, the Institute numbered 50 members. Since 1928 he has rested in the mother house at Trier. The introduction of the cause in Rome is currently under study.
BIBL.: J. Kroll, Bruder P. F., 1st ed., Trier 1927; anon., Alaria-Hilf und P. F., 2nd ed., there 1930. Mario Colpo