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