September 30 - When we persevere ...

Mother Theresa's tomb.
St. James church, Munich Motherhouse

1841: Mother Theresa moved the novices and candidates from Neunburg vorm Wald to the Au in Munich in order that she could also supervise the renovation of the future motherhouse.

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1932: The remains of Mother Theresa were exhumed from the vault of St. James Church and re-interred in the church itself next to the Blessed Virgin Mary altar.

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When we persevere, then comes the evening; the Father gives us what we have earned and we show him the fruits of our efforts.
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 4554
Trust & Dare, September 30

September 29 - First SSNDs missioned to Slovenia

On the outside wall of theSSND chapel, 

Ilirska Bistrica, Slovenia

1886: The first SSNDs were missioned to Slovenia.   Visit the website of the Slovenian Province.  You can also visit the section of the congregational website for the Slovenian Province.

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Do not forget what the divine master said to his apostles when they returned home exhausted at evening, “Let us go aside and rest a while.”
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 5327
Trust & Dare, September 29

September 28 - The candle ...

One of many
richly decorated candles
made in honour of
Mother Theresa.
Germany

The candle comsumes itself 

as it serves others 

by its shining.

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 29

Trust & Dare, September 28

September 27 - First foundation of SSNDs of Czechoslovakia

Image: Icon
Artist: S.M. Benedikta Forejtkova, SSND

On the icon’s scroll is written: 

All the works of God 

proceed slowly and in pain
Slavkov Brna, Czech Republic 

1849: Mother Theresa and Father Siegert arrived in Hirschau, Bohemia in order to become acquainted with the place before sisters were sent there.  Father Gabriel Schneider had invited M. Theresa to make a foundation there. Due to various circumstances, more than two years passed before the first sisters arrived to staff the mission. It became the first foundation of the School Sisters of Notre Dame in what was later known as Czechoslovakia.   

 
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1915: The first mission in Puerto Rico opened, St. Augustin at Puerta de Tierra. Pioneers were from the Milwaukee, Baltimore and St. Louis Provinces.

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Image: Contour drawing

Artist:  S. Barbara Sutorius, SSND

Curabo, Puerto Rico

What God does not send, I am not able to give.
Blessed Mother Theresa Gerhardinger, 4894
Trust & Dare, September 27

September 26 - God can, must, and will bless...

1942: The Polish Sisters, imprisoned in Stanislawów political prison, were released after many interrogations, sufferings, and tortures.

Sister Antonina was taken to the isolation hospital. The others went to Tatarów. 

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God can, must, and will bless;
and upon this blessing
everything depends.
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 896

Trust & Dare, September 26

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Image at top: Bronze statue of Blessed Theresa.
Location: Originally in Beuthen at the school entrance (Saint Hedwig was on the opposite side). This was located in the former Silesian province. Currently the statue is in the garden area of the Polish Motherhouse in Opole.  (Saint Hedwig is presently located in the garden in Wrocław.) Artist: Paschalis Leszcynski, SSND. 

September 25 - It is God who directs hearts ...

Illustrator: Agnieszka Wędrychowicz

Text: S. Beata–Monika
Wędrychowicz, SSND

This booklet was created for use
with kindergarten children.

Opole, Poland

It is God who directs hearts like streams of water; to him let us pray. 
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 967
Trust & Dare, September 25

September 24 - Only by love ...

Illustration: Cover of small booklet - 

Story of Mother M. Teresa of Jesus

SSND

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Only by love will we win the love of the children and draw their hearts to God; through the children we exert a good influence on the mothers, and through the mothers on the fathers. 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 4405
Trust & Dare, September 24

September 23 - ... youth will be converted and led to God ...

Illustration in
Maria Theresia Gerhardinger:
Eine Lehrerin mit Herz, 
published in Munich, 2011
Illustrator: S. Monika Schulze, SSND

It is not by artificial and hypocritical words that youth will be converted and led to God, but by the power of the cross of Christ, by the Spirit of God, by holy love. 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 3006
Trust & Dare, September 23

September 22 - Two SSNDs began teaching in North America.

Illustration in
Maria Theresia Gerhardinger:
Eine Lehrerin mit Herz, 
published in Munich, 2011
Illustrator: S. Monika Schulze, SSND

1847: Sisters Seraphine von Pronath and Barbara Weinzierl began teaching at St. Mary's, Pennsylvania. They had arrived in North America with Mother Theresa 38 days previously.

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The more people work to estrange the school from the church, the more must we religious - as long as we have schools - present religion to youth with few words, but in a  warm, appealing way, without oddities. 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 4537

Trust & Dare, September 22

September 21 - UN International Day of Peace

Today: We celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace. 

2020 Theme: Shaping Peace Together

For more information click here.

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Even if we know something - even much – “our knowledge is only imperfect,” says the Apostle. And who gave us understanding and the opportunity to learn? Do we not owe all to God? 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2941

Trust & Dare, September 21

September 20 - what suffering it really is when...

1935: M. Adolfine Meisner and four other SSNDs left from the Silesian Province to establish the first SSND mission in Brazil at Forquilhinha. Read more on the website for the Province of Latin America and the Caribbean.

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Artist:  S. M. Beata Peller, SSND

Window of Charism: 

St. Augustine, Blessed Mother,
Mother Theresa.

Budapest, Hungary

My God, what suffering it really is when one would like to help but is unable to do so.
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 1264
Trust & Dare, September 20

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September 19 - A well-educated teacher...

Artist: S. Kornela Kwasniewicz, SSND
Location: Kupno, Poland

1821: Father Michael Wittmann described the teachers at the Stadtamhof school: 

"Because of their devotedness, fear of God, and their seclusion from the world, the members of the convent, three teachers whom I have here at Stadtamhof, are making an impression on many young souls who will expand and grow with their own growth." 
One of those three lay teachers was Caroline Gerhardinger.

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A well-educated teacher can more easily accept persons where they are and help them than one who is inadequately educated; good will does not supply for lack of competence.
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 259
Trust & Dare, September 19

September 18 - When I teach ...

Artist: Walter Konrad, 1988
Location: chapel in Lenzfried, Germany

When I teach others what I must instruct them in, I will have to first learn and practice myself.
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 29
Trust & Dare, September 18

September 17 - It is a scandal ...

Artist: S. Kornela Kwasniewicz, SSND
Location: Bwiam, The Gambia, West Africa

It is a scandal when one extinguishes the light of grace, but it is no less scandalous when one does not enkindle it.
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 3
Trust & Dare, September 17

September 16 - The sun, the light of the world, ...

Sunset at Passoscuro beach, Italy

The sun, the light of the world, shines kindly and quietly; it warms so benignly; it is so rich in blessing; my way of life, my example should do that, too.
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 29
Trust & Dare, September 16

September 15 - Frequently visit the Lord of blessing in the most holy sacrament!

Mother Theresa' childhood
home, as it is today.

1795: Willibald Gerhardinger and Frances Huber were married in St. Ulrich Church, Regensburg. Their daughter, Caroline, would become the foundress of the congregation of the School Sisters of Notre Dame: Blessed M. Theresa of Jesus Gerharinger.

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Frequently visit the Lord of blessing in the most holy sacrament!  You will always go away from him to your work enriched with new graces.

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 5202
Trust & Dare, September 15 

September 14 - Let us work and serve ...

Image: water color painting 

entitled “To the Glory of God”

Location: Mankato, Minnesota.
Artist:  Marian Andersen.
In recognition of the SSND presence
 in the Church of Saints Peter and Paul,
 Mankato, Minnesota from 1855 to 2005.

Let us work and serve in love and fidelity and with good intention, not to please people, but the Lord!  He will stand by us with his
all-powerful grace.
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2941
Trust & Dare, September 14

September 13 - There is nothing nobler than ...

There is nothing nobler than to save souls for heaven; I consider this greater than to raise the dead to life.
Blessed M. Thresa Gerharding, 2267
Trust & Dare, September 13

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Image: Icon.
Artist: S. Ann Schoch, SSND
Location: Mankato, Minnesota, USA

September 12 - We all bear the name of Mary ...

Elm Grove, Wisconsin
Milwaukee Archives

Our Lady, chosen Mother General 

of the School Sisters of Notre Dame,

 bless us with your Divine Child.

Saint Augustine and Saint Peter Fourier, 

obtain for us the true religious spirit.

Our first Mothers General: 

Blessed Mother Teresa of Jesus, 

Mother Mary Margaret of Cortona, 

Mother Mary Hermanna, 

teach us by your example 

to be faithful to our Holy Rule.

We all bear the name of Mary and, therefore, desire to be and should be her true children, showing ourselves worthy of her name and ours.

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 5091
Trust & Dare, September 12

September 11 - Orphans are the apple of God's eye...

Image: Bronze statue. Location:
Freising, Germany

 on bridge that crosses the Isar River. 
Sculptor: William Breitsameter. 
In remembrance of the Sisters’ work
 in Freising where they
managed an orphanage
and worked in schools for decades. 

Orphans are the apple of God’s eye, and with them we are always sure of his blessing.
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 4620
Trust & Dare, September 11

September 10 - Let us never forget...

Banner created by
Liturgical Fabric Arts,
St. Louis, Missouri

1879: M. Caroline Friess and her Assistants petition the General Chapter for a Commissariat in North America.

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1912: The Mankato province was established. (The Mankato province reconfigured with the St. Louis, Dallas and Milwaukee provinces  to form the Central Pacific province on June 12, 2011.)

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Let us never forget the love of Jesus for children, whom he took upon his lap, caressed, and blessed!  Of them he said, “Whoever receives one of these little ones in my name receives me.”
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 714
Trust & Dare, September 10

September 9 - God grant that all redound to his honor!

God grant
that all redound to his honor!

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 607
Trust & Dare, September 9

September 8 - Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Munich, Germany

Today we celebrate the Nativity
of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  

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1842:  Josepha Friess was received as novice in the Au Suburb of Munich and given the name M. Caroline. This was the first reception held in Munich.
Learn more about Mother Caroline. Watch this video by Sister Diane Buckman SSND.

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1961: Foundation of the Dallas Province. M. Georgianne Segner was installed as the first Provincial Leader. (The Dallas province reconfigured with the St. Louis, Mankato and Milwaukee provinces  to form the Central Pacific province on June 12, 2011.)

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1991: The Region of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) was reintegrated into the Province of Berlin.

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Mary, the heavenly mother of our congregation, will not abandon us as we honor her daily and try to imitate her virtues. 
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 4760
Trust & Dare, September 8

September 7 - Did you notice?

Artist: Frau Moede-Jansen, 1985

Location: Bad Vilbel, Germany

You cannot

please everyone!

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 4906

Trust & Dare, September 7

September 6 - What matters is...

Image: Wood relief
Artist: S. Regine Collins, SSND
Location: Cathedral of Mary Our Queen,
Baltimore, Maryland, USA 

What matters is that in all you serve God not as much as you want but as much as is possible for you. 
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2
Trust & Dare, September 6

September 5 - O God, I desire to serve you ...

Image: Stained glass window.
Location: Gerhardinger School,
Cham, Germany 

O God, I desire to serve you with constant joy and total trust because you are my joy and help.
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2
Trust & Dare, September 5

September 4 - I desire to love you earnestly...

M. Josepha Hermanna Glink

1830: M. Josepha Hermanna Glink, third General Superior, was born.

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O God, I desire to love you earnestly and to make this love visible by fulfilling the responsibilities of my state of life.
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2
Trust & Dare, September 4

September 3: God's cause is the only concern...

1998: A bust of Blessed M. Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger was placed in the Valhalla because of her innovative work in the development of the education system.
“Her greatest concern was not novelty but rather the whole person as an individual of dignity and value. . . Through the work of Sister Mary Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger, young girls and women in broad sections of society gained access to a sound education." 

(Laudatio by the Bavarian Secretary
of Education and Cultural Affairs)

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God’s cause

is the only concern 

of our hearts.

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 895

Trust & Dare, September 3

September 2 - Beginnings ...

Image: Stained glass window
in the Chapel in Baltimore
Made by the Mayer Company,
Munich, Germany. 

Surely, beginnings everywhere are more or less difficult.
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2019
Trust & Dare, September 2

September 1 - Season of Creation

Pope Francis invites you to unite with Christians from all over the world for the Season Of Creation. An annual celebration of prayer and action for our common home. Join Christian people everywhere from September 1 to October 4. Learn
more here.

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1939: World War II began. Germany invaded Poland. During the war, although SSNDs lived in opposing political spheres, the congregation remained united. Read more about some SSND experiences during World War II on the Atlantic-Midwest Province website.

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Looking down to the
Monastery of St Scholastica, Subiaco.
- click here to see more photos -

During your vacation you have gathered yourself together in God; therefore, you will go to your daily work renewed in spirit and with holy zeal.
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2031
Trust & Dare, September 1