April Through the Years

We continue to make our way through the 150th jubilee year. April brought many activities for sisters and students.

Stella Niagara—1914—April 14th, Easter Tuesday, was radiant with beauty, natural and supernatural. Rt. Rev. Bishop Colton and fifteen priests honored us with their presence. The singing of the priests together with that of the sisters was magnificent and added greatly to the celebration. Three extra cars brought about 250 visitors. Three ladies from St. Ann’s parish, Buffalo, offered their services to help us serve the guests.

1918—April 21st — our 15-year-old convert, Nina Rose Bitmead, who was received into the Church on April 7th, made her First Holy Communion. [This young lady later entered the community and was professed as S. M. Hilda.]

Sacred Heart, Columbus—1942—Lessons in “First Aid” through the Red Cross were begun here on Saturday, April 18. Classes were held in the Commercial Classrooms. All of our sisters attended these classes as well as our sisters from St. Peter’s Convent and the Dominican Sisters from St. Francis School and Holy Name School.

Clare Hall, Amherst—4/29/96—Sister Theresio Setyowati made her presentation to her English class at the University of Buffalo. An original skit was called for. Sister Theresio chose the “Peace Prayer of St. Francis.” She began with a lighted candle in front; she passed out paper mache doves, symbolizing peace, then she reverently recited the prayer. Later she said shyly, “Nearly everyone was crying. Even the teacher had tears in her eyes.”

Elizabeth House, Eggertsville—4/27/96— “Building Communities of Salt and Light,” with John Carr as speaker, was the theme of a workshop at Christ the King Seminary. Carr is secretary to the U.S. Bishops’ Department of Social Development and World Peace. His keynote address stressed concerns of how to restore life in a fragmented, individualistic society in which the “trivialization of politics” sabotages the nation’s common good and concern for the marginalized. Carr invited parish team and ministry leaders to become and foster “communities of light and salt” as they endeavor to integrate the social mission of justice in all aspects of parish community--life of worship, outreach, education, and life. Sister Patrice attended this day of informative talk and discussion.

March Through the Years

Our 150th anniversary year continues with some glimpses of happenings in the month of March.

 From the Stella Niagara Chronicles 1933:

Stella Niagara Chapel interior 1933

March 25 marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the breaking of the ground for our beloved Motherhouse. The jubilee was celebrated on Laetare Sunday, March 26. About seventy letters had been sent out to the Alumnae of Stella Niagara Seminary, inviting them to return to their Alma Mater for general communion and a reunion on that day. High Mass was celebrated at 9:00 in the convent chapel by our chaplain, the Rev. William A. Heim. At breakfast, served in the dining room to the Alumnae and our present Senior Class, Father Heim welcomed our guests in the name of all the sisters and spoke at length on the history of Stella Niagara and the marvelous achievements of the daughters of St. Francis during the past twenty-five years. It was generally agreed by the Alumnae to make the Communion breakfast an annual affair.

 From the Chronicles of St. Francis Mission, SD 1934:

On March 18, our basketball team left for Chicago to represent the Indians in the National Tournament, losing to the team which took second place. Lenard Quick Bear, a forward, was given the medal as the best forward of the thirty-two teams represented. The following is a tribute paid to their playing by Spalding’s, the official Basketball Guide for 1934-35: “Without a doubt the most colorful team of the tournament (National Catholic) was the one sent to Chicago from the Jesuit Indian Mission of St. Francis, South Dakota. The Indians’ style of play coupled with their conduct and attitude, instantly drew all spectators to side with them. Cheer after cheer greeted their spectacular floor shots and effective, if unorthodox, ball-handling.” They have played seven games this session and so far have not lost one, although one team was a College Prep from Chadron Normal, and another, the fastest team in the Northwest, the Vandykes, Colored House of David. (This was a 1930s African-American barn-storming team based in Sioux City, Iowa. They fielded teams in baseball and basketball.)

 From Chronicles of St. Mary’s Academy, O’Neill, Nebraska 1934:

On March 3, a meeting of the Normal Training classes of Holt County was held in O’Neill. St. Mary’s class gave a very satisfactory demonstration of the Palmer Method of Penmanship. On March 9, Reverend J. McNamara arrived to take the place of our dear deceased pastor, Reverend Monsignor Cassidy. On the 13th a public reception was given him in the auditorium of the Public School. St. Mary’s grade children again carried a number of prizes. During Vocation Week our students presented a play, “the Better Part.” It was very favorably received by all who attended. Father Leahy, our assistant priest, gave a very inspiring and suitable lecture. The week was closed by Communion and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

 From Chronicles of St. Jude Thaddeus Convent, Havre, Montana 1935:

Teachers and children were the participants in an enjoyable treat when on March 18 we had the privilege of hearing the Gonzaga Glee Club and Band. They visited Havre in the course of a tour through several states. March 20, 21, and 22 marked the days set for the school children’s retreat. Father Cotter, S.J., gave some impressive conferences. Each day’s lectures were brought to a close with devotions of Stations and Benediction. During the Lenten season, the Dramatic Club gave a play entitled, “The Divorce Question.” The matinee performance was attended by the teachers with their respective classes.

February Through the Years

From Chronicles of Sacred Heart Convent

 (In February 1932) Our pupils presented the Opera "Hansel and Gretel" on the evenings of the first and third and a Matinee on Sunday, the sixth.  Everyone enjoyed it and $1055 were realized.

            During the first week of February (1932) our students visited the Quality Damp Wash Laundry Co. in four divisions.  This is a means of advertising used by the company and at the same time a chance for institutions to reap a little profit.  Our visit brought us $100.

In February 1934 the parents of our pupils sponsored a party and dance for the benefit of our academy at the Cleveland Park Club.  They realized $862.65 which they at once submitted to us.  Many applications were received by us asking us to organize a SHA Mothers' Association.  After due consideration it was decided that such an organization would mean mutual benefit, and at the same time could be the means of doing good.  Hence, this organization will be known as the Sacred Heart Academy Mothers' Association.  Meetings will be held once a month here at the Academy.

From the Chronicles of St. Vincent Convent, Columbus

1942  Holy Rosary Elementary School  February:  The change to Eastern War Time which caused us to go to school at the break of day gave us the feeling of going to night school.  These early hours, while beneficial to the nation as a whole, prevent many small children from attending daily Mass during Lent.

From the Chronicles of Stella Niagara

1923:  The Students' Mission Crusade was founded in this month (February) and the pupils of Stella Niagara, anxious to do something for the missions, were eager to join.  The purpose of this society is to further the interest in foreign missions and also to give pecuniary assistance to the same.  A peculiar characteristic of this association which owes its origin to Rev. Daniel Lord, S.J., is that the students themselves are to display their initiative, to give the talks themselves, to organize, etc.  This is thoroughly in keeping with the times, since in this age youth is determined to assert itself.  There are those who hail this as a wonderful advance,--others prophecy disaster.  The future will show.  For the present it is futile to go against the strong current of youthful self-assertion.  If this association succeeds in turning the energies and activity of many young people in the path of labor for God and His Church, it will surely be a blessing.  Mr. Joseph Bach, the President of the Crusade came to Stella to address the pupils.  He succeeded in interesting the students and many of them wished to be enrolled.

From the Chronicles of Rosary Hall/Magdalen Hall, Amherst

2/19/96--Sister Angela Canavan died this morning.  She had guided the young college through two  decades of planning, building, faculty formation, increased enrollment, with the registration of male students, and the research for the name change from Rosary Hill to Daemen College.

            The wake and prayer service held at Rosary Hall demonstrated the sincere gratitude and loving respect of so many friends, relatives, religious of several orders, her own sisters, and our two bishops.

            The spirit at the college peaked to make this a Franciscan farewell for Angela.  Once upon a time Angela insisted, "That only the King's English would be spoken at the college."  Whereupon we decided Angela must have a royal farewell.  Of course we closed with the Franciscan blessing.

May the Lord bless you.

May the Lord keep you.

May He show His face to you.

And give you His peace.

            She, like Magdalen Damen, has completed her earthly mission and Daemen is her monument.

From the Chronicles of Mary Catherine Dekkers Community, Buffalo

February 2, 1996  During this weekend, Diane Gianadda will have a retreat for women in the inner city sho at one time had made her summer vacation program at Stella.  Edie helped by driving some of the women from their homes to a van . . . which would take the women to Stella.

150th Year of our Presence in the United States

With the start of the new year which marks the 150th year of our presence in North America, From the Archives will each month try to highlight items from that same month which appeared in earlier years.  Beginning with January we see that our sisters were involved in a variety of things and changes were in the offing:

From the Chronicle of Sacred Heart Convent, Buffalo

The year 1932 was an eventful one at Sacred Heart Academy, Eggertsville.  The first incident worthy of note was the assembling at our academy, Sunday January 31, of almost 1000 college and high school students of Western New York for a Sodality Rally.  Rev. Fathers Lord and Barrett, both of the Society of Jesus, were present.  The day proved an inspiration for all Sodalists.

The New Year of 1933 was ushered in most beautifully and solemnly.  Rt. Rev. Bishop Turner announced that the Most Blessed Sacrament was to be publicly exposed in all churches and chapels throughout the diocese of Buffalo, January 8, to honor in a special manner the Holy Name of Jesus and to plead for divine assistance for the needy and distressed families.

 From the  Chronicle of St. Vincent, Columbus, 1939-1940

The New Year brought to the Saint Vincent Community a new Mother, dear Mother Assumpta, who came to us all the way from the land of the setting sun.  She was new for a few minutes, perhaps, or for a few hours; but in a week or so she was being carried along by the current of institutional life, as though she had been with us for years.  Things went on, as things in a fifty-year-old system are likely to do, in the same old traditional way.  Forty-seven Sisters and two hundred children kept Mother so active that no one remembered that she had not been with us for a long, long time.  Mother brought with her a great amount of enthusiasm for her work, and up to the present moment none of the California sheen has worn off.

 From the Chronicle of S. Gertrude Lacki, Boomer, WV

1/7/1989—Eucharist at St. Anthony shrine, Boomer, 5:30 p.m. with the Folk Group which consists of adults and children.  St. Anthony Shrine is next to my residence.  Before the Eucharist begins we practice for about 20-30 minutes.  On each Wednesday from 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. or beyond, our group gets together to not only practice for the coming week, but to plan the seasonal times in the Church year.  We view what to do a real and important ministry and for this reason our group takes their role seriously.

 From the Chronicle of Rosary Hall, Amherst, NY

1/2/96--The weather forecast predicts a severe winter for this 1996.  Truly snow and ice have already worked much havoc on Rosary Hall.  The arctic winds have beaten on the French doors and loose windows.  The pipes boom and knock their complaints.  The walls have new cracks.  The paint is flaking and the icicles pulling on the blue tiled roof have caused new leaks.

            But this mansion convent has its beauty and tremendous sense of history.  We are grateful for the years spent here.  We will be moving out and turning this property over to . . . the college's collection of buildings.  "God will provide."

Did you know?

When Mother Aloysia Lenders was a little girl in Maastricht, she and her sister Henriette (later S. Crescentia) got into no little mischief. One time, while returning from school, they came upon an auction at a local store.  “Just for fun” they placed a bid on a bolt of calico which didn’t appear to be of much interest to anyone else.  Down came the hammer and, to the horror of the little girls, the calico was theirs!  Upon delivery of the goods to their home, the Lenders girls’ parents were less than pleased and decided upon a punishment sure to make their daughters think before doing such a thing again.  The calico was paid for, but the girls were to have dresses made only from that bolt of material until it was exhausted!

Those who are familiar with sewing might have some idea of how many dresses the two had to have before the fabric was used up and some variety once again entered their lives.  Of course, we don’t know how big the girls were at the time so it’s hard to say what size the dresses were.  One might also consider that as they grew older and entered the convent, they once again had no variety in their wardrobe!

Sacred Heart Academy

As you can guess from the photo above, this month From the Archives is visiting Sacred Heart Academy.  As plans unfolded for the opening of the new academy in Eggertsville (new Sacred Heart), the community at Sacred Heart on Washington Street (old Sacred Heart) continued their day-to-day lives, with, of course, the added pressure of moving a school and a group of sisters.  For the time being both groups maintained a chronicle for “Sacred Heart” and some of the reports overlapped.  The chronicles from the “new” Sacred Heart reveal just a bit about activities in May 1931.

              It was noted that the annual students’ retreat “was held as one of the last activities at the old academy from April 28 through May 1.”  The next days must have been very busy.  Most certainly there was a mixture of nostalgia at leaving the building which for so many years had served variously as convent, novitiate, and academy, and excitement for moving to the new, modern facility on Main Street.

            The chronicler went on to relate that on “May 11, Monday, classes were opened for the first time at the  new academy.  All the teachers went ‘home to sleep’ for there were no living accommodations prepared until May 21.  (After that date) the teachers, at least some of them, remained permanently at 3860 Main St., Eggertsville, N.Y.  Moving was a gradual process.  One never realizes how many possessions he has until he begins to move (sic).  Although our new academy is magnificent in every respect, yet, many loving thoughts have gone back to ‘749’ with many fond memories.  We all experienced, ‘Scheiden tut Weh! [Separation hurts]

            (In September) registration at the Academy showed no falling off of students, in spite of the fact that we are far away in Eggertsville.  Owing to the great outstanding debt on our beautiful new building, both pupils and alumnae are working very diligently to help us financially.  There have been candy sales, skating parties, card parties, cake raffles, parcel pots, etc., given by the various classes.  In spite of the ‘hard times’ most of the enterprises proved very successful.”

--from "new" Sacred Heart Chronicles

Charleston, SC, Diocese

About 1968, a series of articles appeared in what was probably the Charleston, SC, diocesan newspaper. Unfortunately, the clipping that was saved did not include the name of the paper or the date. However, from the information in the piece and the style of habit worn by those in the accompanying photos, one can make an educated guess as to the source and time period.  The article is titled “Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity” and an accompanying “Editor’s note” states that it was authored by S. Catherine Gale as one of a series on sisters’ congregations in the diocese.  From the Archives shares some of what appeared at that time.

The Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity whose Provincialate is located at Stella Niagara, New York, are relatively new in the Charleston Diocese.  They were asked by Bishop Russell in 1951 to take up residence in Greenville and work with the Franciscan fathers in their mission at St. Anthony.

After the Provincial superior, Mother Gonzaga Miller, conversed with Bishop Russell, it was decided the sisters would establish a school for the Negroes. This was to be the sisters’ first home mission in their Eastern Province.

The three pioneer sisters, one of whom is still teaching in Greenville [picture below shows S. Renata/Gertrude Kerling with her fourth grade students], took up residence on Douthit Street which served as a convent and school until a new building was erected.  The sisters worked diligently to give these children a sound education.  Their efforts were not in vain.  Many of the children have left St. Anthony to go on for higher studies and some have received national honors in education. …

This first home mission was soon to be followed by another one.  In 1955 (the sisters) were asked to establish themselves in another area in Greenville.  This time it was to found a school at Our Lady of the Rosary parish.  Since segregation was still prevalent in South Carolina, this second mission was for the white children.  The Provincial superior . . . was able to accommodate the Bishop with three more sisters.  These three sisters temporarily took up residence with the sisters at St. Anthony until their convent was completed a few months later.  The sisters also did not have the convenience of a school building for the first few months.  They conducted classes in the church.

The sisters have witnessed many changes since their beginnings in Greenville seventeen years ago.  They have seen the schools they staff develop from makeshift classrooms to new modern schools.  They have seen segregation abolished.  They have taught children of various backgrounds and environments.  At Our Lady of the Rosary, the school at first was embodied mostly with children whose fathers were servicemen from Donaldson Air Force Base.  After this closed, industry moved rapidly into Greenville.  This brought a great turnover  in the student body.

In both areas, the sisters have experienced the joy of welcoming many converts to Catholicism.

Although the main apostolate of the sisters in Greenville is teaching, they do not confine themselves solely to it.  If a need arises where the sisters can give assistance, they are willing to do so.  The sisters at St. Anthony, after a full week’s teaching, made home visits to the parents of all the children in the school.  The sisters at O.L of the Rosary have been active in the CCD program.  S. Margaret Miller has been active in the vocation program and is presently serving on the Bishop’s Pastoral Council. 

Are you beginning to wonder just how the sisters spend each day?  If it is a usual day, it runs something like this.                                       

The sisters first come together in the morning at 7:00 to pray Lauds.  They then enjoy a good breakfast at which they converse.  Usually the morning headlines start off as a good topic.  It is soon time to meet their pupils.  After five hours of hard work trying to impart knowledge, they return to the convent.  At this time they are free to relax, prepare the next day’s classes, or meet the Lord in prayer.  At 5:30 Vespers is prayed together.  Supper follows Vespers.  After supper, they are free again.  The sisters know their need for relaxation so they usually have some recreation together.  Their recreation can vary from watching the news or other TV specialties to (assembling) 1000-piece puzzles.  After 9:30 the house is usually quiet to maintain an atmosphere for study, prayer, and retirement.

Through their work and their renewal the sisters have learned to understand the laity more and the laity in turn are beginning to look at sisters as Christians dedicated in a special way to the service of God and the people of God.

St. Mary's Academy, O’Neill, Nebraska

            The Bicentennial celebration of the birth of George Washington brought to the people of O’Neill and vicinity a rare treat—a patriotic Pageant titled “In the Hearts of His Countrymen.”

             This Pageant was presented to a full house on Thursday night and Friday afternoon by the students of Saint Mary’s Academy. Over two hundred participated in the six Episodes depicting scenes in the life of George Washington. The stage, which formed a beautiful and fitting setting for the Pageant, was erected especially for the occasion in the Academy gymnasium.

             The pupils of “Master Hobby’s School,” represented by the girls and boys of the primary, 1, 2, and 3rd grades, introduced the program.

 The dainty colonial costumes of the little girls and the military suits of the “Cornstalk Brigade” attracted much attention, while the skillful manner in which they rendered their parts drew storms of applause from the audience.

             The “Thirteen Sister Colonies,” “Sailor Boys,” and “Plantation Negroes,” portrayed by the boys and girls of the 4, 5, and 6th grades, together with the pupils of the 7th and 8th grades, who dramatized the poem “Independence Bell,” stirred up patriotic sentiment and afforded great pleasure to the audience.

             “The Garden Party at Belvoir,” introducing Colonel Washington, was a gay and colorful scene. During it, forty high school pupils, representing gaily attired beaux and belles of “Colonial Days,” entertained the audience with a graceful and charming minuet.

             The part of George Washington so well acted by the younger children up to this point, met its perfection in the Episode of “Valley Forge.” This Darkest hour in the life of Washington revealed his nobility of character as the great general. The “Inauguration of Washington” as first President of the United States, was vividly recalled by the cheering crowds that gathered around the stage, now representing the Federal Hall of New York City.”

             “The March of the States,” which form the Union in our day, each with its characteristic dance and costume, was especially applauded by all. Later led by Columbia, the States formed a grand march, arranged about the flag singing “Father of the Land We love.” During this tableau, the entire cast gave the flag salute, thus bringing the program to a grand finale.

             The flag saluted, and the picture of Washington that was unveiled were the gifts of the class of 1932 to their Alma Mater. The hundreds of spectators who witnessed the Pageant were impressed and enthusiastic in their praise of the talent and careful training displayed by each individual member of the cast, as well as the able manner in which the accompanist rendered the various musical parts

St. Mary’s Academy, O’Neill, Nebraska

             The sisters of St. Mary’s Academy wish to thank the parents of the students for their hearty cooperation in furnishing costumes for the children and in every way possible to make the recent Bicentennial Pageant such a complete success.

             Thanks is due to Joseph Mann of the Galena Lumber Company for erecting the stage, and to Mr. Ed Burge for wiring and lighting. Mrs. Kubitschek deserves great credit for her untiring efforts to train the members of the State Groups in Aesthetic dancing. We are indebted to Thelma Riley for her skillful service at the piano.

             Thanks is also tendered to the members of the K. of C., Odd Fellows and Masons who allowed the “young Colonials” to use their swords; also to Mrs. George Agnes who procured them. A special vote of thanks is due to Mrs. Luella Parker, County Superintendent, through whose kindness the rural teachers and their pupils were permitted to attend the Pageant Friday afternoon.

 --Taken from a 1932 O’Neill, Nebraska, Newspaper

An October Medley

October 4, 1953 The custom of inviting the Dominican Fathers and Brothers of Saint Joseph's Priory for the observance of the Feast of St. Francis was not followed this year, for a number of our Sisters went to Charleston to join in the Golden Jubilee celebration of our Sisters at Sacred Heart Parish. --St. Aloysius Academy Chronicle

 The Golden Jubilee of the arrival of our Sisters in Charleston was celebrated. It is almost impossible to express the joy that existed both among the Sisters and the parish people. Sisters whose homes were in Charleston were permitted to attend the celebration even though they were stationed as far away as Buffalo. This was an experience that awakened all of Charleston. The school bus brought a large number of Sisters from Columbus while many others came in private cars. From Buffalo came Sr. Annunciata, Sr. Magdalis, Sr. Alverna, Sr. Lenore, Sr. Jeanette, Sr. Brendan, Sr. Cecile, Sr. Orlanda, and Sr. Carmella. From Columbus came many former teachers and others who wished to attend. A turkey banquet was served in the school cafeteria by the good women of the parish, all at their own expense. A purse of $1,000 was presented to Mother Eileen Gatens from the parishioners. Food and gifts arrived at the convent as if it were Christmas time, and all were deeply impressed by the loyalty, generosity, and interest of the good people of Charleston. The daily papers covered pictures and write-ups of the Jubilee. The celebration opened with a Solemn High Mass with Rev. Father Joachim, O.F.M., Cap., officiating. In the afternoon, a pageant written by Sister Philip Thacker and directed by Sister Angeline Bott was presented. The scenes depicted various incidents taken from school life. A reception, prepared by the Holy Name Society and the Boy Scout Troop followed. The memories of the joy brought to Charleston by this great event will long be remembered and talked about by all in the vicinity.

 October 7, 1953 The Seniors sponsored a dance, the "Jack O'Lantern Jamboree," which turned out to be both a social and a financial success." --Sacred Heart Academy Chronicle

 October 28, 1953 The Homecoming Game and Dance were held at the close of the football season to celebrate the winning of a beautiful trophy by our Blue Knights who had distinguished themselves as co-champions in the Tri-County League. We are proud of our cadet athletes, too, who passed through the football season without a single defeat. --St. Aloysius Academy Chronicle

 October 31, 1996 Over one hundred children came to our door begging treats during this Halloween night's tricks or treats custom. --Mary Catherine Dekkers Community, Buffalo, Chronicle

 1917 At the end of October Divine Providence sent us another proof of its great goodness. We were in want of coal, as all the railroads were occupied in carrying ammunition to soldiers. The cold weath­ er set in, and there was no fuel to be had. Then suddenly a paper factory, nine miles distant, met with an accident. The wood piled up high in the yard fell over and soon floated down the river. Those living along the river were informed that they were permitted to pick up the wood. Our men worked an entire week, hauling wood with a team. This kept us warm 'til at last the coal ordered reached us.  --Stella Niagara Chronicle

Final Installment of Mother Gonzaga Brexel's Diary

This month From the Archives concludes the series based on entries in Mother Gonzaga Brexel’s “diary” which relates the story of the sisters who came from Konitz to the Perry County hills. 

After many trials and tribulations, by the end of August, 1876, “the last of our group of travelers (from Konitz) arrived from Buffalo—Sister Cyrilla and Sister Isabelle; a novice, Sister Clara Dorschel, came with them.”  September 1 marked the long-awaited and hoped-for opening of the new school.  The sisters welcomed four students:   three day pupils and one boarder!  Mother Gonzaga notes, “that was, indeed a tiny group compared with the crowds of students we had left in Germany.  Nevertheless, we began with great courage and heaps of trust in Divine Providence and God blessed our good will.”

Early View of St. Aloysius Academy, New Lexington, OH

 As has been the case in other education-based ministries, the number of children attending the academy began to increase almost immediately.  By the end of the first session there were eight residents and 18 or 19 day students.  By the start of the second term on February 1, 1877, even more students were enrolled; “twenty-four new day pupils were registered in one day.”

“On the feast of St. Francis, October 4, Right Reverend Bishop Sylvester Rosecrans solemnly blessed our academy.  A big crowd of people came to the celebration, while four priests from surrounding parishes came as assistants to the bishop. . . . The people were so taken up with everything that with one voice they declared, ‘We have never seen anything like this here in New Lexington!’  From that day on, the academy was called ‘St. Aloysius.’”

The academic year proceeded uneventfully as far as the school was concerned.  The “big” story was the news that Mother Alphonse Houben, the new general superior, and her companion Sister Stanislaus were coming from Europe.  When they arrived in New Lexington they brought with them two additional sisters from Germany for the academy.  The two-week visit seems to have been particularly welcomed by the little community who had so recently been uprooted from their lives in Konitz.  The presence of the visitors coincided with the close of the school year and the “very first entertainment for the public” which was rather ambitious, consisting of 16 spoken and musical numbers!  The program “was thoroughly enjoyed by the spectators and with it we closed the first year of our work with the students of St. Aloysius Academy.”

1876—Establishing the Academy in New Lexington, Ohio

After recording the mishaps, trials, and tribulations leading to the “Konitz Sisters” finally arriving in Columbus in the fall of 1875, Mother Gonzaga Brexel undoubtedly hoped that the new year would bring the long-awaited move to New Lexington.

            “In the very first days of this year [1876] Sister Pudentiana, assistant to the local superior and Sister Adelgonda, the gardener, were sent to New Lexington.  One of the workers who saw to the last details of the building also went.  After a two week stay they returned to Columbus following the advice of Father Eis who realized that the sisters were without any spiritual assistance there since Father Mortier, the pastor of the parish church  was not conversant with the German language.  During Lent, sometime in March, the news reached Columbus that the roof of the academy had been torn off during a violent wind storm and that the plaster in the building would be damaged as a result.

            That news was, indeed, a crushing blow for the poor exiles, particularly when they were in such a strained financial condition and with expenses increasing by the day.  For a religious such incidents are merely tests of her confidence in Divine Providence, even in the most degrading incidents, opportunities for greater confidence in God.  The damages were taken care of at once and, thanks be to God, were not really as bad as they originally were thought to be.  As Easter approached, it seemed that the house should have been sufficiently completed to allow two or three rooms ready for use and we could then move in . . . and we decided to move to New Lexington immediately after Easter.  On Wednesday April 19 Sisters Pudentiana and Adelgonda traveled to their new home.  The superior, Sister M. Gonzaga, Sister Bibiana and Sister Ladislava prepared to leave the next day.  When they arrived at the depot in New Lexington on Thursday at about 5:00 p.m. they were greeted with the news that not even one room in the house was entirely finished.  We had to gather all our strength and faith to resign ourselves to the will of God.  It was a severe test to be sure! . . . There was nothing else to be done but to settle for a small room in the farm house. . . .

            Not only for a week or two were we obliged to share a small room with six sisters, but for six full weeks!  Chapel, dormitory, refectory, recreation room, workroom, etc. were for us one and only one and the same room.  Indeed, this all-purpose activity room also served as the priest’s dining room.  . . . In spite of, or perhaps because of, the many sacrifices we had to make, those six weeks were weeks of much joy for us too.”

Although the building was not ready for occupancy, a small chapel was set up and the Blessed Sacrament was reserved there.  Some six weeks later the convent, itself, was completed enough that they could move in.  The work progressed, but it was early August when the sisters’ rooms were completed and everyone had her own space.

In the midst of it all, word came from Heythuysen that Mother Alphonsa Houben had been elected general superior.  “On our side of the ocean . . .  our interest at this point in time was our apostolate here in the Perry County hills.  We were looking longingly to the day on which we could open our academy door.”

TO BE CONTINUED

The Sisters of St. Al's - Part III

In the last column we left our intrepid band of displaced sisters journeying from the familiar to a world that would be new and different in almost every way. On September 1, 1875, they boarded the “August Andre” in the port of Antwerp, and embarked on the seventeen-day journey to New York City where they were welcomed by the Aachen Franciscan Sisters (Franciscan Sisters of the Poor).

Mother Gonzaga Brexel relates that after a brief stay in Brooklyn, we left for Buffalo where our sisters were already working in two parish schools, St. Michael’s and St. Ann’s. For two weeks we thoroughly enjoyed the true sisterly love of our dear (sisters). We used a good portion of the time learning the English language for we were now surrounded by English speaking individuals and most probably would be for the rest of our lives.

By early October they were off again, this time to Columbus. Our final destination was New Lexington to which God was so providentially leading us, not to stay just for a few days, but for a long, long time, indeed, and to a place that proved to be a spot that we “loved at first sight.” Construction on the new institution (to be known as St. Eugenie’s Academy) had begun in 1871 and while the building slowly went on, no one in Germany had even guessed that the sisters in Konitz would one day occupy it.

The day after the “Konitz-Sisters” arrived in Columbus, Sister Gonzaga, who had been appointed superior and directress of the new academy, left to visit the site of her soon-to-be home. What she discovered was not what she had anticipated. Instead of a building ready for occupancy, she was confronted with a partially completed edifice high on a hill about a mile from the village of New Lexington. Nothing about the situation was suitable. The house, in every respect was a “botch” and, moreover, there were several lawsuits concerning the debts which had been incurred during the construction. When Mother Aloysia had agreed to take on the new academy, it had also been agreed that the sisters would likewise assume the debts that necessarily come with building such an academy. These debts had already mounted to about $7000. What should be done? The whole matter would be given up—the agreement cancelled!

Then a zealous priest took the matter in hand and vetoed this decision. His name, Reverend Father Eis, and after a consultation with Bishop Rosecrans, it was decided that the (sisters destined for New Lexington) should stay at the orphanage in Columbus during the winter. . . .Scarcely had a month passed after we had been so lovingly welcomed at the orphanage where we ate the bread of the poor with the poor, when we heard the surprising news that five more sisters from Germany for the academy had landed in New York. As joyful as this news was on the one side, it was just as depressing on the other. Where were the poor, dear sisters to stay during the approaching winter? At the orphanage every corner of the building was filled three times its capacity. Almighty God, who never forsakes his own who zealously seek him, also helped in this embarrassing situation. Our dear sisters at St. Michael’s, Buffalo, New York, took in the exiles and lovingly and generously gave them hospitality throughout the long, cold winter. During their stay they zealously studied the English language, without which knowledge, they would have been unable to do the work for which they had been sent.

During the winter that seemed to pass so slowly, Reverend Father Eis went back and forth to New Lexington to direct and control the final stages of completely finishing and furnishing the new building. At the same time the sisters met and contracted with a German farmer, Mr. Wieser, who agreed to take on the management of the run-down farm. He and his family would live, rent-free, in the farmhouse and he would be paid $400 annually. He began work in December 1875 and donated his first month’s work free! Things seemed to be settling into place. Surely, come spring, the sisters would be able to move into their new home in the Perry County Hills! -TO BE CONTINUED

The Sisters of St. Al's - Part II

This month we continue to follow the story of the sisters of the community in Konitz/Chojnice who later found themselves in the Perry County hills of southeastern Ohio. Once again it is the translated words of Mother Gonzaga Brexel’s “diary” which tell the tale.

By the end of 1873, despite some setbacks and difficulties, the sisters could look at the growth of the community and its work among the inhabitants of Konitz and feel that God was truly blessing their endeavors. M. Gonzaga noted that The children cared for here by the sisters during the year 1873 numbered 44 in the girls’ Academy, 42 in the elementary school, 5 orphans, and 64 kindergarteners.

However, the winds of the Kulturkampf were beginning to blow more strongly and reached Konitz by 1874 as the diary relates: As we look back over the dangers that faced the Catholic Church and especially the priests and members of religious orders, we are deeply grateful to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus for shielding and protecting our congregation. On January 1, all the members of our congregation solemnly consecrated themselves to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Here we held this solemn consecration on New Year’s Day at 11:00 a.m. ... In the beginning of the year, 1874, here, as in all parts of the German Empire, the so-called “May Laws” were being put into practice. Priests and other religious teachers were forbidden to teach [religion] in the city schools. Our elementary school, consequently, was overcrowded with Catholics and those who sought religious instruction. …School inspection was conducted March 16 by the superintendent of schools, Annecke, and a high school instructor, Dr. Konigsbeck. They asked for the credentials of all, especially the teachers’ certificates. They inquired about the number of students, the tuition, fees, etc. After they had an exact knowledge of practically everything, they visited the various classes. Satisfied with the results of the visitation, the two left the house.

There was no retreat for us during the fall vacation because no priest dared to come during these dangerous times. After the vacation strict orders came from the government telling that we no longer were permitted to accept Protestant children at Mareenerder.

The year 1875 was one filled with important occurrences. The Kulturkampf which had its origin in the French War had slowly but steadily gone on. Religious were expelled, priests roamed about and were arrested and put in jail like common criminals. ...The convent in Konitz was also dealt a heavy blow. After severe and trying struggles we had won the confidence and respect of the people of our locality. The sisters had to pack their traveling bags and be ready to return to Capellen, the Motherhouse …Only one hour after we had given report cards to the school children and dismissed them for the summer vacation, July 31, a letter from Reverend Mother Aloysia arrived, telling us that the convent in Konitz had to be given up and that the majority of the sisters should prepare themselves to go to America. The departure was set for August 20. ...The sisters got ready for their rapidly approaching departure. No one in the city even guessed what was happening in the convent at that time. In the meantime, M. Gonzaga, the superior, and S. Bibiana traveled to Pelplin to take leave of the bishop and... to solicit monetary gifts from the Canon and some prominent families to help defray the expense of their travels.

As the days of departure drew near, the people showed their affection for the sisters in many ways and August 19 saw the final Mass in the convent chapel. All that remained was to reach the railroad station and board the train. At the scheduled moment, the train gave forth a loud screeching sound…we mounted the steps and a shower of flowers were tossed on us. The engine puffed and at once a final goodbye rose from every throat—we were departing from Konitz with the conviction that we would never see it again and the people whom we had learned to love so dearly. After these farewells, our thoughts turned to the end of our present trip. Our first stop would be to our relatives to bid them goodbye, then off to the Motherhouse at Capellen, where we would stay for a brief time. Our journey to America would take place early in October. In Capellen we bade farewell to so many dear sisters and to the place that we held so precious and dear. Then it was off to the Motherhouse in Heythuisen, where we experienced the same love from all the sisters and certainly the same agony of separation at our departure.

                                                                                                                                                    --TO BE CONTINUED

The Sisters of St. Aloysius Academy

Most of us know something about the former St. Aloysius Academy in New Lexington, Ohio, but few if any may remember that the original sisters who went to southeastern Ohio in 1876 were from the displaced community in what was then known as Konitz, West Prussia (today Chojnice, Poland).  Bishop Rosecrans of Columbus was aware of the situation in Germany in 1874 where under the Kulturkampf of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck church-run institutions, clergy and religious all came under attack.  Knowing that there were many sisters who had been forced to leave their ministries in Germany, the bishop asked Mother Aloysia Lenders to accept an academy in New Lexington.  She, in turn, assigned seven sisters from Konitz to the new project in America.  Over the next few posts, From the Archives will share a bit of their story, most of which is taken from the “diary” of Mother Gonzaga Brexel which served as the community chronicle.

The foundation in Konitz/Chojnice dated from 1867 with the establishment of a resident and day school with kindergarten, and according to Sister Angelita Cools in her work, Mother Magdalen and Her Congregation, “with the exception of the Bismarck years, 1875-1888, the sisters have continued to work in that area.”  A recent congregation directory lists two small communities located in Chojnice, although the larger institution (St. Charles Borromeo Institution) was placed under state control in 1949 and the sisters were gradually let go.

            In November of the year 1864 Monsignor Dr. Masse of Pelplin and Vicar General of Culm, accompanied by the auxiliary Bishop Yeschhe, also of Culm, called on Reverend Mother Aloysia Lenders, superior general of the Franciscan Sisters of Heythuisen, Holland.  Their purpose was to request sisters for work in their diocese—they hoped that the sisters might open a boarding school to educate the young women in Konitz, conduct an orphanage and even perhaps establish a hospital there.  Some efforts toward these proposed projects had already been made.  A simple farmer from the town of Schlagentin, a suburb of Konitz, had purchased a house for $5200 . . .

            M. Aloysia listened but was not in favor of the venture as it was “inconceivable” that the sisters would be so far away from the motherhouse.  Nonetheless, she ultimately acquiesced, and by early summer 1865 five sisters were prepared to leave for Konitz.  Then, a series of circumstances arose, including the outbreak of war between Prussia and Austria.  M. Aloysia took 15 sisters and traveled to Bohmen, the chief city in the war zone to nurse the soldiers and give them comfort and alleviate their sufferings in every way they could.  Here, kindly M. Aloysia was forced to see two of her sisters, Ida and Adriana, suffer and die from the terrible disease of cholera, and witness their burial in a country far, far from home.  At the same time the epidemic was spreading rapidly and severely through Trier on the Mosel.  . . . Due to these strenuous sacrifices made by the sisters, the epidemic claimed two other victims—Mother Gregoria, superior of the house, and Sister Remegia.  All these unforeseen and very serious events caused terrific set backs in the establishment of the sisters in Konitz.  Negotiations were postponed for a long time.

            It was not until October 1867 that the sisters, “drawn from different houses in the novitiate territory at Capellen in Geldern,” were appointed.  The first sisters were S. Wilhelmine (teacher), SS. Bibiana and Ludmilla (nurses), and S. Stanislaus.

--TO BE CONTINUED

The Meadow

I suspect that most of us have heard the words attributed to writer and philosopher George Santayana which in its original form read, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”  I was reminded of that quote when reading the following excerpt from the 1924 Stella Niagara chronicle, as the land referred to is the very area which was sold to the Western New York Land Conservancy.  Although it is highly unlikely that in 2015 anyone consciously remembered the earlier plans for a park in the meadow, neither the angst of that experience nor the outcome were repeated.

The jubilee year (50th anniversary of the sisters’ arrival in the U.S.)  was not to close without a cross for the community.  One day, Lawyer Scoville of Lewiston, who had ever shown his aversion to the religious owners of Stella Niagara, came to inform the sisters that the State of New York was about to appropriate a section of the Stella property for the purpose of a public park. 

     This was a most unwelcome piece of news.  As the sisters knew that they would get no assistance from Scoville, but that on the contrary he would work against their interests, they resolved to place the matter in the hands of a Catholic attorney of Buffalo, Mr. Waechter.  The latter, however, evinced no interest in the affair which meant so much to the sisters, and so, by the advice of a friend, we asked the assistance of two noted Jewish lawyers, Messr. Fleischmann and Desbecker.  These gentlemen at once took up the matter with great vigor.  They seemed to understand perfectly our side of the question.   If the part of our property which was threatened, had really been taken from us, we would not only have lost the most picturesque section of our grounds, but furthermore—this would have been even more undesirable—the close proximity of a public park would have destroyed our privacy and would have brought very questionable people to the neighborhood.  So while the lawyers were working away vigorously to save the property for us, the sisters were storming heaven; especially the good St. Joseph was called upon to help us in this need.  And the good saint did not turn a deaf ear to his children's prayer.  Mr. Desbecker finally appealed to Governor Alfred E. Smith.  The latter had previously given his consent to the park proposition because he had been told that it was agreeable to the sisters.  But now when he heard the real facts of the case, he decided that the property might not be taken against the consent of the owners.  It was consequently agreed upon to lay out the park at some distance from Stella Niagara, near the so-called "Devil's Hole Inn," which will be done away with, a very great blessing for good morals.  God had provided anew.  Deo Gratias.

 What a difference 91 years made in the way the Sisters of St. Francis viewed the possibility of having the Five Mile Meadow property become a place open and welcoming to the public.  The thoughts, hopes, and needs of the modern era were and are very different from those of the generations before us, and the joy with which the sisters welcomed the possibility of preserving the land by selling it to the Conservancy shows how our thinking evolved over time.  What is the same, however, is the belief that “God had provided anew” and the later generation could truly echo the words of the earlier, “Deo Gratias!”

Companions - Part 6

In last month’s ATP we learned a bit of how the young Mary Catherine Dekkers joined Catherine Damen and her first companions in 1827. The small community received the religious dress and their religious names on February 11, 1836. At that time Mary Catherine became known as Sister Francisca.

  According to S. Elisa Ackerman’s research, “it did not always go well with Francisca.” As a woman much younger and more lively than her companions, “she struggled with the question whether she could live like this for her whole life. Therefore, she intended to leave the convent stealthily, for this way of life where there was only place for fasting, working, and praying without any relaxation was certainly above her power.”

Mother Magdalen, however, had observed that the once lively Catherine/ S. Francisca was clearly struggling. According to S. Lina Hoster’s account, she went to the young sister’s cell and, as a result of the ensuing conversation and with the encouragement and prayer of M. Magdalen, “Francisca tried to fulfill her duties punctually and became one of the most zealous sisters.”

She is the one who worked with S. Antonia (Gertrude) Kirkels on furnishing the Kreppel and improving the outside of the property as well. At Mother Magdalen’s request, she helped with the preparations for making the habits for the little community. Apparently she had a friend who had married a cloth merchant and she was able to negotiate the purchase of the necessary fabric on the installment plan. In the narrations of the older sisters, S. Francisca “is always spoken of as a happy sister” who, on her mendicant tours through Heythuysen, brought joy to those she met.

As the years passed, the frequent exposure to cold, wind, weather, and heavy work took their toll. S. Francisca became bent and walked with difficulty. When outdoor work became too much for her, she took her talents and dedication to the sewing room and “as long as she lived” almost every sister of Heythuysen wore a habit made by S. Francisca. Apparently she often sewed extra pieces of warm material into the habits to keep the sisters warm in the unheated rooms of the convent. She also saved extra crusts of bread for the young sisters.

And so her life went on: quietly, happily, and in true simplicity. The words of the chronicle document her death: “On May 16, 1874, died from a breast disease, our dear Sister Mary Francisca Dekkers, born in Hunsel on May 13, 1804. The deceased was one of the co-foundresses of our congregation and distinguished herself by her simplicity, her heartfelt love for her sisters and her laboriousness. For many years she fulfilled the task of sexton of the convent chapel and was zealous in the service of the Lord. She was buried at the convent cemetery. May she rest in peace.”

COMPANIONS - PART 5

The third of Mother Magdalen’s original companions was the youngest, Mary Catherine Dekkers who joined the group at age 23 in 1827.  As related earlier in this series, Anna Maria was 45 and could have been Mary Catherine’s mother.  Catherine was, herself, 40, and Gertrude 37.  Although much younger and different in many ways from the other women, Mary Catherine found herself drawn to the small community.  The Blutengartlein describes her as a gay and high spirited woman who likely did not always find it easy to be with the serious, thoughtful women she had joined.

            Before joining the little group she worked on the Schijmans family farm in her birth village of Hunsel.  There was apparently not enough work for her on her own family’s tenant farm which was known as “Little Bongarshof.”  This is likely the origin of the name by which Catherine was also known, Bongars. 

            According to S. Lina Hoster in the “Blutengartlein:”

While Catherine Damen and her companions competed with each other in virtue and devotion and the news of their exemplary life spread more and more, there lived on a big rented farm the able servant Maria Catherine Deckers.  This zealous young girl who was born on March 13, 1804, was gay and in good spirits.  She loved God ardently and often went to church.  Once when she was there she suddenly felt such an aversion to the vanities of the world that she grew downhearted.  After finishing her prayers she left the church deep in thought.  Pensively she arrived at the rented farm, sat down on a chair and (put her head in her hands).  It was thus that she was surprised by the daughter of the house who knowing her brightness of spirit said, “What is the matter with you, Catherine?  Are you ill.”

But she, roused from her thoughts answered, “O, if there only were still convents, I would soon say farewell to the world and go into solitude to be able to serve my Lord.”  At this unexpected answer the daughter laughed loudly and she hastened away to tell everybody that Mary Catherine wanted to enter a convent.  This awakened the mockery of the whole family and Mary Catherine had to hear many prickly words but this did not disturb her.  She took prudence as her guide and buried her noble purpose so deep in her heart that nobody heard about it except God and her father confessor who had told her that she could reach blessed eternity as well in the world and need not go into a convent for that.

Gradually, however, the fame of the exemplary life of Catherine Damen spread in the region and also reached the village where Mary Catherine Deckers served her Lord with a happy spirit and great trust in God’s goodness by faithfully fulfilling her duties.  She yet always longed to dedicate herself totally to her God.  And when she heard about the wonderful life of Catherine Damen her heart overflowed with joy and a clear ray of hope came alive in her heart.  She immediately asked permission to visit her aunt who lived in Heythuysen, a means she hit upon to be able to speak to Catherine.  She received permission and went on her way.  Soon she found herself before the house of Catherine but began to fear a little.  She knocked with a trembling hand.  Gertrudis, one of the companions of Catherine opened the door and asked politely what she wanted.  “I wish to speak to Catherine Damen,” she said.  Gertrudis answered, “I’m sorry but she just went to a sick person, but be so good and wait a moment for she will soon be back.”  “No,” said Mary Catherine.  “I cannot wait.  I have to be home before the evening but I will soon be back.”  So she returned to the farm, very sorry that her undertaking had not succeeded

Five months had passed and Mary Catherine had not yet returned. . . . She then rose, asked permission of her boss and went quickly to Heythuysen.  She knocked for the second time at the humble house of Catherine and for the second time was told that Catherine was not at home.   

More decisive than the first time, Mary Catherine waited impatiently for her return.  Soon (Catherine) entered and saw Mary Catherine waiting for her.  With her customary friendliness she went to her, embraced her tenderly and said, “Be welcome, my child.  You have come here to enter a convent and to serve God in solitude.  Well, stay with us.”  Hearing these sweet words of Catherine, seeing how, enlightened by the Holy Spirit she knew of the longing of her heart, Mary Catherine wept for joy and answered, “I will soon belong to you.”  She went home, lived a few days under her parental roof, put her affairs in order and said farewell to her father and mother, brothers, and friends, and to the whole world.  Then she returned for the third time to Catherine, this time never to leave again.  Since her first visit to the poor little house in Heythuysen, Catherine Damen had looked with sad longing for her return, for the great work that she wanted to start.

  When Mary Catherine did return, her principal work was to build, together with Gertrudis, the new house in the village.

Companions - Part 4

It seems that there were many stories about S. Antonia (Gertrude) Kirkels and, though she joined Catherine with much joy, there were times that were not so joyful. According to S. Elisa, S. Antonia at times suffered from what might today be termed depression. S. Lina Hoster included what she called “a heavy temptation” in her compilation of “Blutengartlein.”

Sister Magdalen, that precious flower in the only just arranged flower garden of the order, came of the strong stock of St. Francis. Sister Magdalen, the zealous child of the divine teacher, saw many good daughters come to her to wear the penitential garment of the crucified servant of the Lord, St. Francis. Many from every social status, some very young, some a bit old, she accepted in the order as soon as she saw that it was according to God’s will...Sr. Antonia, however, when she saw how young girls, still so innocent and pure, gave their youthful strength so lovingly to the Lord was sorrowful about herself.

She lost her normal cheerfulness, was the whole day sad, and her swollen eyelids showed that she wept silently. When Magdalen saw this she felt an inner compassion with her sad situation. But as Antonia remained downhearted she became uneasy, called her and spoke as a tender mother, “My child, I don’t recognize the former Antonia. Formerly you served the Lord with a joyful and gay heart; now however I see only bitter sorrow in your face. Tell me, my daughter what ails you. Why are you so sorrowful?” Antonia, whose deepest wish was to tell her spiritual mother freely about what lived in her heart, said, “See, my dear mother, this is what ails me.

When I see how so many young girls gave themselves undividedly to God from their youthful days and I think then that I, poor sinner, already 46 years old, started so late to serve my Lord, then I grow downhearted. Then I think, if I had also in my young years made such a generous decision, then it would have pleased the Lord much more.” “My child,” said Magdalen then, “be as joyful as before, and serve the Lord with a heart full of love, for you make yourself downhearted about a nothingness...Don’t be unquiet anymore and think of the Gospel where it says that the Lord paid the last workers as much as the first although the latter had worked from early morning in the vineyard.” With a humble heart Sister Antonia listened...and then went to the chapel and kneeling before the altar she repeated the words Magdalen had spoken, and with a new zeal she did what she had promised...(The Lord) gave her back her former joy, which gave her for long years the courage and the strength of her youth.

In addition to the “Blutengartlein” there is a small booklet entitled “Small Contribution to the Archives of the Motherhouse,” which contains short biographies of the first sisters. It was written by S. Dominica Grimmelt who entered the congregation in 1863. M. Hortense Lindner, provincial superior 1920-1932 asked her to write down the stories. They date from about 1925 and, as S. Dominica actually knew S. Antonia, she writes from personal knowledge.

Sr. Antonia was a model of contentness, expressed in her whole being of attractive friendliness, zealousness, and above all, the spirit of prayer and love of holy poverty. She cared for the garden and was always to be found there or in the vegetable room during work time. This last room, built along the garden side of the stables, had a door to the garden that was always open in bright weather. The small (boarding students) could not pass by without greeting Sr. Antonia. Then her friendly eyes looked so happy through her copper spectacles. She always had a gay answer and was overjoyed if she could make them happy with an apple, a pear, a prune or a carrot.

Generally, one heard her praying loudly during her work. She was very anxious that the young sisters should grow accustomed to the convent food. Then she said in her Limburgian dialect, “You should eat well of the vegetables; they are blessed.”

At the age of 83, S. Antonia died on November 15, 1873. Her death was noted in the house chronicle of St. Elisabeth. She died of loss of strength after having several times received the last sacraments...The deceased was one of the co-founders of our congregation and excelled in her love of holy poverty, her simplicity and her zeal. She was interred in the convent cemetery. May she rest in peace.

 And as S. Elisa writes, “We may thank God for this rich life.”

Companions - part 3

In addition to sources documenting some of the statistics and activities of S. Antonia Kirkels, there are writings which give more information about the kind of person she was. Some of the sisters with whom she lived wrote about her. The first of these was S. Lina Hoster who, in “The Flower Garden”/”Blutengartlein,” gave an account of S. Antonia’s vocation story.

Before sharing the actual story, S. Elisa Ackermans first talks a bit about the origin of S. Lina’s work. Mother Magdalen’s death in 1858 aroused much interest on the part of the sisters in the early days of the congregation. Their stories (an oral history of sorts) moved Mother Aloysia Lenders to ask S. Lina to write them down. She was supervised by S. Crescentia Lenders, secretary to Mother Aloysia, “to prevent that reality was strained too much.”  German by birth, the young S. Lina began her work in 1862, but completed only the first part before her death at the age of 27. S. Elisa writes:

What she left us is a precious piece of work, written in German, rich in contents, elegant in form and colour. Every chapter starts with a decorated capital of the first word, in which the core of the chapter is designated. In the chapter about the vocation of Antonia you see a capital D in black and white and in that capital she drew the admittance of Sr. Antonia by Mother Magdalen. Sr. Clara is working at the table.

She then goes on to explain that she has chosen to relate the story in its entirety because, I think that only then (can) you taste something of the sphere. In my opinion it is a sublime tale and although it will not be related totally according to reality, it shows the way in which the first sisters experienced their community life.        

The God designed life of Catherina Damen was admired and esteemed by all sincere Christians. Gertrudis Kirkels also belonged to them. This young woman, born the fourteenth of March 1790, had taken the penitential robe of the third order of St. Francis. God fearing as she was, she was especially interested in what they told about the edifying life of Catherina Damen. Therefore she had looked in the church very often at this praying virgin. She loved Catherina more and more, asked about her way of life and heard that she had so much work in the school that it was impossible for her to do the work in the house. “Oh” Gertrudis thought, “could I offer her my service, how diligently would I work for her.” But Gertrudis did not guess that Catherina had looked already a long time for such help and through ongoing prayers had asked God fervently for it.

In the meantime the devout longing of Gertrudis grew stronger every day. She thought about her intention for some time, asking God for enlightenment and resolutely addressed the parish priest. “My father,” she said, “I have felt for a long time an aversion to the world. I would like to serve my God in seclusion and wish therefore to live in company with the good Catherine and to do the housework for her.” The priest answered her curtly, “You are not fit for that life. You can better serve God in the world and do what you did up till now, take care of the cattle.”

Totally disappointed Gertrudis went home but she did not lose all hope. When she saw Catherine again in church she hastened to be near her when they left and gave her the holy water respectfully but not without fear. The good Father Almighty who loves the humble so strengthened at that moment the weak hope of Gertrudis (that she spoke to Catherine): “You are very happy that you may serve your Lord in solitude by fasting and much prayer. I also wish to live only for Him and share your happiness. But you should know that I am ignorant and not learned, but as a compensation I have a pair of strong arms that will work for you in honour of God day and night, if only you would give me as my wage a place in your house and a piece of bread.

Catherine, surprised by what had happened, could not restrain herself (from embracing) Gertrudis tenderly and to press her with much love to her heart. After this expression of friendship Catherine said as she clearly saw that her prayer was fulfilled, “Well, my child, be welcome, God bless your entering. He sent you to me because I am in want of help.” Gertrudis needed no second request but soon she entered Catherine’s house with the few things she possessed and she rendered her much service because she worked untiringly.

Companions - part 2

We continue with S. Elisa Ackermans’ profiles of the first companions of Mother Magdalen.  Although little was known about S. Clara, there are more sources and stories for the others.

             S. Antonia, Maria Gertrudis Kirkels the second companion also joined Catherine in 1827 at the age of 37.  Thanks to our S. Jacinte Kirkels, a relation of S. Antonia, we also have some dates from before her entrance.  She was born in Kelpen (not Wessem as has been recorded in some of our books).  Probably the neighbors who announced her death at the town hall in Heythuysen made this mistake, for on her birth certificate—which was in French—Kelpen is mentioned.

            Maria Gertrudis Kirkels, born the fourth of March 1790, married Theodore Vossen on October 27, 1816,  when she was already four months with child.  The time that they formed a small family was very short.  Five weeks after the birth of their daughter, Theodore died and exactly one month after her husband’s death, the child also died. 

            Gertrudis went back to her mother who had been a widow for 15 years and she earned the living for both of them by taking care of the cattle for neighboring farmers.  When her mother died in 1827, the road was free for Gertrudis to join Catherine.  This she did against the advice of Pastor van der Zandt.  What she could offer Catherine and Anna Maria, in addition to her desire to do what they did, was her physical strength.  She, like Anna Maria, could neither read nor write, which she told the notary public in 1842.  On her marriage certificate she put a cross in the place where her signature should have been, and next to that can be seen the words “nescientis scribere” (cannot write).

We can imagine how she used her physical strength; the new house in the village street was for the most part built by her hands, together with Catherine Deckers who joined as the fourth member of the little community.  Then, in 1835, when the small group moved to the Kreppel it was Gertrudis’ primary task to care for the garden.

We can read from what is known of the group that she and Catherine Deckers also laid out the garden.  It was primarily a kitchen garden, but they also gave it a personal color.  S. Cecile Schmitz, who went in 1870 to the mission in Indonesia) tells us that these two made a round bed at the southwest side of the house.  It was heightened until it was about five or six meters high with “a path on the outside, surrounded by a good hedgerow that meandered two or three times around it until one came above, where there was a seat.”  Around 1859 the sisters called it the “montagne” (French for mountain).  Afterwards, after it had been built up still more, a statue of Mary was placed on the front side.  We know now the “montagne” as the grotto of Mary and that is still in the same place as S. Antonia made it.  Both these sisters also excavated the big ditch that is still there, be it in a different form.  “In my young days the ditch was called with a great name “rivière” (French for river) writes S. Cecile.  That it was easier for S. Antonia to dig a whole field than to write a page we can believe now.