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Venerable Mother Maria Theresia
of the Blessed Sacrament |
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Our Foundress |
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On September 17, 1830 Mother Maria Theresia Bonzel, one of the great women of the 19th century, was born in Olpe, Westphalia, Germany.
At an early age she wanted to follow Christ. Formed by a very intensive prayer life and a great devotion to the Holy Eucharist, she was aware of the needs of the people of that time. Due to the changes in the social structure and because of the health policy in Germany during the mid 19th century, poverty and the number of unprovided children increased. She wanted to serve the poor and soon found a group of companions with a similar interest. She was asked by Bishop Konrad Martin to found a Congregation. After a restless period of orientation and an intense search for God's will for her, the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration in Olpe was approved by the Church on July 20, 1863.
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The Sisters ministered in the education of children and in the health care field. They also performed various works of charity in response to the needs of the time.
On November 25, 1875 the first Sisters were sent to North America because of the Kulturkampf that limited their ability to serve in Germany. In the new foundations they undertook similar apostolates.
On February 6, 1905 Mother Maria Theresia died. At the time of her death about 1500 Sisters were active in their ministries and were enthusiastic about her ideals.
Today the Sisters are ministering in Germany, the United States, the Phillippines and Brazil.
The motto of her life was: All as God wishes. HE LEADS; I FOLLOW. | |
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Heroic Virtue
On March 29, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI signed the decree which recognized Mother Maria Theresia's heroic virtues and named her Venerable which proceeds the step to beatification. Beatification is a declaration from the Church of a deceased person as Blessed and worthy of public honor. In addition to examining the virtues of one's life, the complex beatification process requires a Church-confirmed miracle. Already in the year 2001, a miracle was recognized officially, through our Mother's intercession. A four year old boy in Colorado Springs had a persistant severe viral illness that normally ran its course in one week but was stretching into months. The Sisters began a novena to Mother Maria Theresia and the young boy was healed without any scientific explanation.
We continue to give thanks to God and pray:
Prayer
Loving Father, you granted countless graces to Your Servant, Mother Maria Theresia, choosing her to be a fervent apostle of devotion to Your Son in the Most Holy Eucharist, and a living testimony of Christian charity to poor children, the sick, suffering and the dying.
Grant dear God, that we too will grow in our love for the Eucharist, so that like Mother Maria Theresia, we can serve You, your Church and all souls with joy and simple faith. Let us bring the Light of Christ to all those around us, especially those in most need. If it is Your will, grant the Beatification of Your Servant Mother Maria Theresia, and through her prayers, grant us the favors we ask of You (here make your petition). We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
With Ecclesiastical approval. | |
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