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.”