December 31 - Let us continue to serve...

Image: Needlework banner
Created by:
 Mechthilda Lex from Poxau, 1989. 
Location: Dinkelsbühl, Germany

2005: The Provinces of Baltimore, Wilton and Chicago joined to form the Atlantic-Midwest Province.

***

1981: The Region of Japan decided to send sisters to Nepal.

***

1936: Mary Margaret Johanning, ninth General Superior, was born.

***

Let us continue to serve the Triune God all our lives with joy, to obey him, to love him above all.
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 714
Trust & Dare, December 31

December 30 - ... we confidently hope and pray ...

May the dear God, who helped so well this year, be our help and strength in the coming year also; we confidently hope and pray for this. 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2688
Trust & Dare, December 30

***

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Artist: S. Josephine Niemann, SSND
S. Josephine did the drawing and cutting of fabrics and sewed the faces
S. Regina Kabayama, SSND did all the other sewing
This banner was used during the 175th SSND Anniversary celebrations.

December 29 - All the works of God...

M. Almeda Schricker
General Superior 1928-1955

1955: M. Almeda Schricker, sixth General Superior, died in Munich.

***

All the works of God proceed slowly and in pain; but then, their roots are the sturdier and their flowering the lovelier. 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2277
Trust & Dare, December 29

December 28 - All good things begin small.

Porto Alegre, Brazil Artist: S. Nives Farkas, 1982 

S. Nives, from Yugoslavia,

painted this for the
novitiate when she was a
missionary in Brazil Novo,
North of Brazil,
Porto Alegre Province. 

1966: Miriam Sheila Wilson, Juliette Marie Parlow, and Macrina Militello opened the first mission in Asuncion, Paraguay.

***

All good begins small.  Therefore, let us not shy away from and fear a beginning, however small and poor it may be.  The Almighty will lead his cause further from the crib; heaven and earth are under his command. 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 780
Trust & Dare, December 28

December 27 - May the divine child, Jesus ...

Generalate chapel window.

1923: Cardinal Protector van Rossum urged Cardinal Faulhaber of Munich to begin the preparation for the Beatification of M. Theresa.

***

May the divine child, Jesus, at whose crib we have laid all the wishes of our hearts, fulfill, in the new year of grace, whatever serves his honor and glory.  

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2773
Trust & Dare, December 27

December 26 - ... let us offer homage ...

Nativity in the Generalate chapel.

Let us, in these days especially, go to the crib of Jesus with the poor shepherds and the holy wise men. With them let us also offer homage and sacrifice to him, so that we may share in the peace of God which the angels announced to all of good will on the fields of Bethlehem.

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 4517
Trust & Dare, December 26

December 25 - Merry Christmas!

Come, let us adore him!
Mother Theresa was the model
for this village woman who is part
of the annual presepio / nativity scene
at St. Peter's Basilica, Rome.

Merry Christmas!  Fröhliche Weihnachten!  Wesołych Świąt!  Vesel božič!  Feliz Natal!  Boldog Karácsonyt!  Veselé Vánoce! Buon Natale!  メリークリスマス！ ¡Feliz Navidad!

***

The shepherds at Bethlehem went in all simplicity to find Jesus and they found him - but how? 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 101
Trust & Dare, December 25

December 24 - Advent Daily Intention

Generalate Chapel

December 24: The Church as it carries out the mission of Christ – that all be one

Loving God, in your tender compassion, may your dawning light shine upon the Church, especially during these difficult and uncertain times. Guide your Church in the path of healing, peace, and reconciliation as she strives to carry out faithfully Christ’s mission of oneness in our world today. We pray to the Lord.

***

Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Artist: S. Leo Hargarten, SSND.
 This painting was reproduced
as small prayer cards
and pictures for classrooms.  

1850: Bishop John Martin Henni blessed the chapel in the SSND house in Milwaukee. Until March of 1851 the Bishop himself served as chaplain for the SSND community.

***

The name of Jesus is . . . a name above all names; in it our salvation, our happiness rest. 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 4523

Trust & Dare, December 24

December 23 - Advent Daily Intention

Generalate Chapel

December 23: Province of Africa (AF)

Today we give thanks for the life of each sister and postulants in the Province of Africa. We give thanks for all the inspiration they have from your grace and for all the efforts they take for the unity in their reach diversities, for the dignity of life and for the care of all creation -  as they take part in your mission. For the Province of Africa – we pray to the Lord!

***

See below for information about this painting.

1899: Twelve children died in a fire that occurred in connection with a Christmas play at S. Francis Solanus, Quincy, IL. One child’s costume caught fire. As she ran through the other children, they also caught fire. Sister Theotima Detroyer had both her hands amputated as a result of burns sustained while trying to put out the flames on the children.  S. Theotima was born in Paris, Ontario. She was sent to St. Agatha, Ontario after the fire to be present to orphan children. The blacksmith in St. Agatha made hands/arms for her so she could hold a cup. She is buried in St. Agatha.

***

Cordial greetings upon the approach of the birthday of our dear Lord Jesus.  I wish you true love of God and neighbor, renewed zeal in your vocation, and loyalty in the service of the Lord; then there will be honor to God, and grace, peace, salvation, and blessing for us.

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 949
Trust & Dare, December 23

***

Painting: St. Louis, Missouri

Artist:  S. Engelberta Heuer, 1918. She was born in Quincy, Illinois.  She died 1927.

The painting depicts many people influential in the founding and development of the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Europe and North America. 

 l. King Ludwig I of Bavaria holding the drawing of the Munich Motherhouse.

 2. Father Frederick Friess, brother of Mother Caroline, Father Spiritual in Munich.

 3. St. Augustine on whose writing St. Peter Fourier based his original Rule.

 4. Bishop Michael Wittmann, who persuaded Caroline Gerhardinger to begin a new congregation of women religious.

 5. Blessed Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger, foundress of the Poor School Sisters of Notre Dame.

 6. St. Peter Fourier who founded the Canonesses of Notre Dame.

 7. Msgr. Peter M. Abbelen, Father Spiritual in Milwaukee, who designed the St. Louis Motherhouse.

 8. Bishop John Martin Henni, who helped establish the first Motherhouse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

 9. Msgr. Francis S. Goller, advisor, benefactor and chaplain of the St. Louis Motherhouse.

10. St. John Neumann, CSsR,who persuaded the School Sisters to remain in America.

Note:  The Virtus et Scientia symbol which is on the St. Louis painting.

December 22 - Advent Daily Intention

Generalate Chapel

December 22: The people among whom we minister, especially women, children and persons who are poor

We pray for all those with whom we minister, especially women, children and persons who are poor. May they experience God’s loving and merciful presence in their lives and may they be blest with hope that renews their lives. We pray to the Lord.

***

 O God, through the light of the Holy Spirit, . . . permit me ever more to see your infinite lovableness. 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 3
Trust & Dare, December 22

***

Image: Alojzy Fòjcik created a number of small statues of Mother Theresa for the Polish Province.  These statues have circulated throughout the world.

December 21 -Advent Daily Intention

Generalate Chapel

December 21: Prowincja Polska / Polish Province (PO)

God of love, we thank you for the gift of Mary, blessed among woman. Today especially, we thank you for the life of our Sisters from the Polish Province. May they all be open to recognize and to receive your love each day and welcome you with open hearts on Christmas. We pray this in belief that the Lord would fulfill his promises.  We pray to the Lord.

***

1782: George Michael Wittmann was ordained a priest at Regensburg.

***

Bishop Wittmann
with child.
Sao Paulo, Brazil

O Jesus, I want to work hard at humility and love and become gentle, so that your image may become more and more radiant in me. 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2
Trust & Dare, December 21

December 20 -Advent Daily Intention

Generalate Chapel

December 20: SSND Associates, Missionaries of Mother Theresa

Let us pray for our associates and Missionaries of Theresa that in this season of advent their desire for a deeper spiritual relationship with their God may continue to grow and to give them strength. May they see their efforts in serving the needs of women and all persons who are underserved and marginalized bear fruit. May they be gifted with patience and courage in all that they do to bring  justice and healing in our divided world. We pray to the Lord.

***

Mother Almeda Schricker

1944: Mother Almeda Schricker, general superior (1928-1955), sent a letter to the congregation telling of the bombing of the Munich Motherhouse.
Read more on the Sturdy Roots website.

***

Let us humble ourselves with Mary and walk in lowliness before the Lord . . . !  Then the Lord will also turn his eyes towards us and one day give us the reward of the humble - everlasting joy.

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 5199

Trust & Dare, December 20

December 19 - Advent Daily Intention

Organ pipes and "Rose" window, Generalate Chapel

December 19: Provinz Österreich–Italien
/ Provincia Austria-Italia & Československá provincie 
/ Province of Austria-Italy  &  Czechoslovakian Province  

Today we pray in gratitude for the sisters of the Province of Austria/Italy and Czech. May the stillness of this Advent time open their hearts to the wonder and beauty of the coming of Emmanuel. We ask God to grant them peace and courage in their hearts as they continue to trust in God’s faithful love. May the diversity they experience as a province witness to the gift of our internationality and desire to be a compassionate presence to all people. We pray to the Lord.

***

Mankato, Minnesota
Artist: Mary Ann Osborne, SSND

2004: S. M. Imma Mack, SSND was awarded the distinction of "Femme Chevalier" in the French Legion of Honor for her acts of heroism and compassion to those imprisoned in Dachau, Germany, during World War II. There were many French citizens at Dachau. Read more about S. M. Imma on Sturdy Roots.

***

How could we be renewed, as we are destined to be by God himself, if we did not receive the Incarnate One and become one with him? 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2
Trust & Dare, December 19

December 18 - Advent Daily Intention

Altar, Generalate Chapel

December 18: Migrants and Refugees

(Today is the UN - International Migrants Day)

May God inspire all peoples and especially the decision makers to bring to life the global compact of Migrants and refugees and to realize the opportunities for development at both the origin and destination countries. May there be enhanced cooperation and collaboration among countries and groups in addressing the challenges posed by migration and refugee crisis so that migrants and refugees may access the resources they need for the dignity of life. We pray to the Lord.

***

Erding-Hl. Blut, Germany
Artist:  Anna Edbauer - Holzrelief
1988

1864: M. Theresa petitioned the Archbishop of Munich for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the motherhouse from 5am to 8pm. Her petition was granted on December 23 and Exposition began December 25.

***

As members of Jesus Christ, we have the great task of becoming like him, the holy person, the first born of humanity. 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2

Trust & Dare, December 18