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