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.