November 30 - Advent Daily Intention

Generalate Chapel

Nov. 30 Victims of Natural Disasters

Loving God, we ask your blessing on the Earth, our common home and for our sisters and brothers suffering from the raging effects of recent natural disasters. May they receive the emotional, physical and spiritual support necessary in their struggles to create a new future. May we humans be more aware of our behaviors that aid to disasters, which cause loss of life and habitat to all species, and take action to change our ways. With your Spirit, touch the hearts of leaders who have the power to create policies which protect all of creation. We pray to the Lord.

St Peter Fourier
Bavarian Province
Motherhouse, Munich

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1565: Peter Fourier was born at Mirecourt in Lorraine.

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Jesus, O King, my King, your kingdom is my kingdom, your glory is mine, your paradise is mine.  What you are, I will become; I, too, will participate in your glory and bliss.  Alleluia!  

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2664
Trust & Dare, November 30

November 28 - First SSNDs arrive in Japan

Tomorrow begins the season of Advent. Here is the annual calendar for this year.

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2019: Pope Francis authorized Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints, to promulgate 11 decrees on 3 miracles, 2 martyrdoms and 6 heroic virtues of men and women from Italy, Spain, Poland Canada and Germany. Among them was Bishop Georg Michael Wittmann (Germany) who was instrumental in the founding of our congregation. Read more on our congregational website.

Artist:  Miss Yukiko Matsuo, 

Elementary school art teacher,

Kyoto, Japan.

  Read the complete list on the Vatican website.

1948: Mother Evangela Wagner and Sisters M. Eugenia Laker, Mary Paul Niemann, Vivienne Hazelett and Mary Louise Fitz Gibbon arrived in Tokyo, the first SSNDs in Japan.  Read more on Sturdy Roots.

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Heaven is eternal life, without pain, without tears, without death. . . . Heaven is the most intimate union with God.
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 11
Trust & Dare, November 28

November 27 - How well we will one day rest in God!

Mankato, Minnesota
Detail of wood sculpture
Artist: S. Mary Ann Osborne, SSND

1964: M. Hilaria Coleman, ninth and last Commissary General in North America, died.

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1968: The Interim Constitution and General Directory was officially promulgated by the 13th General Chapter in Rome.They were created in response to Vatican II and replaced the former Rule and Constitutions.

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How well we will one day rest in God!  

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 984

Trust & Dare, November 27

 

November 26 - Precious and blessed is the death of the faithful before God ...

Precious and blessed is the death of the faithful before God, . . . for they die in union with their dear Jesus, in the grace of God, in peace.  

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 11
Trust & Dare, November 26

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Mother Theresa with a child, painted by Paul Meyer in 1926 using an earlier painting by Josef Kastner (Vienna 1880) as a reference. The original painting by Mr. Kastner was unfortunately destroyed. 

Along with this painting comes a story which cannot be verified: At Schwarzhofen, death had claimed a Sister. A child greeted, with a smile, Mother Theresa, who appeared sad. To Mother’s remark on the Sister’s death the child answered, "Oh, but she is in heaven."

November 25 - Jesus, you are the key ...

Szeged, Hungary

     This Mother Theresa statue
was a gift for Sister Andrea
who was the principal
of the school in Szeged.   

Does it seem impossible for you to become a sharer in eternal bliss, to enter heaven, because you are not doing well and make no progress in good?  Then, plead: “Jesus, you are the key; you have opened the portals of heaven for me; grant that I may enter!”  

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2664
Trust & Dare, November 25

November 24 - Spirit of the Consitutions

Stained glass

Waterdown, Ontario, Canada

Artist:  S. Maxine Poppa, SSND

1834: Bishop Schwaebel of Regensburg approved Father Job's Spirit of the Constitutions but asked for a formal rule within a year. Read it online.

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1949: M. Fidelis Krieter, 7th Commissary General in North America, died. Read this remembrance of Sister Fidelis 50 years later - Sturdy Roots.

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What is the essence of hell? Separation from God for all eternity. 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 11

Trust & Dare, November 24

November 23 - "Blessed are the merciful ..."

Sculptor: Anna Edbauer,
Bavaria
A gift from the Bavarian
Province, 1974.

1877: Mother Theresa seemed to be dying. She told the sisters: "Live true to your Holy Rule; work only for God's glory, not for a little praise from creatures. Be afraid to displease God, hold together loyally and endure bravely the hard times that are now and will yet come. There will be peace again." [from Liobgid Ziegler's biography of M. Theresa, p. 305.]

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1982: The 17^th General Chapter committed the congregation to bring hope to a world marked by violence.  Read it on Sturdy Roots.

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The dear God, the rich Lord of heaven and earth, will reward us; he said: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy!”  

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 1887
Trust & Dare, November 23

November 22 - After death ...

Towson, Maryland, 2006
Notre Dame Preparatory School

Artist:  Peter Küschel,
Etzelzwang, Germany

The statue was blessed on
Foundation Day, October 24, 2006.

After death immediately comes the judgment of God, who has seen all and knows all. 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 11
Trust & Dare, November 22

November 21 - Laying of cornerstone

1961: Laying of the cornerstone for the current Generalate.

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1987: The Directional Statement "Making the Concerns of the Poor Our Own" was approved by the 18th General Chapter in Rome. Read it on Sturdy Roots.

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Mary offers herself in the temple.
Chapel of SSND convent in
Ilirska Bistrica, Slovenia

Today Mary, the most blessed virgin, offered herself to the Lord in the temple.  She did this with all the glowing love of her heart, committed herself unreservedly to the Lord, and never again took back this sacrifice.  Let us follow her noble example!  

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 5199
Trust & Dare, November 21

November 20 - Universal Children's Day

Wood relief is showing
Mother Theresa watching over
the work of SSNDs.
Located in the München-Au
convent, Germany

Today is Universal Children’s Day
United Nations page. 

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1897: M. Josepha Hermana Glink began her visitation of the North American provinces. Her Visitation lasted until June 1898. This was the first visit of a General Superior to North America since Mother Theresa left in 1848.

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Death itself is not fearful.  With death it will be the same as with our birth; actually death is nothing but a new birth, but a birth for eternity! 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger,  3
Trust & Dare, November 20

November 19 - We commit ourselves ...

Munich, GermanyA Calendar
created in 1924
 for the Ladies Sodality

This was the first group
 asking for the beatification
of Mother Theresa.

1997: The Call of the 20^th General Chapter was approved in Mundelein, Illinois. Read the call on Sturdy Roots.

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Do you fear that you will be forsaken at the hour of death and think that you will not be able to persevere?  Then pray often and gladly, “O Jesus, O Emmanuel - that is, God with us!”  When all leaves us, yes, when even life itself leaves you - God always and everywhere with us, Emmanuel! 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger,  2664

Trust & Dare, November 19

November 18 - We die only once -

SSND convent, Ilirska Bistrica, Slovenia

We die only once – once miserable, forever miserable!  After death there is no time to do good.  

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 11
Trust & Dare, November 18

November 17 - Beatification of Mother Theresa, foundress

Today is the 35th Anniversary of the Beatification of Blessed Mary Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger.

In 1985: The  beatification of Blessed Mary Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger took place in Rome by Pope John Paul II.

“‘You are the light of the world’ (Mt 5:14). Today Christ speaks these words in a special way to our newly beatified Mary Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger. Through beatification the church raises the light of her holy life and work to the lampstand so that from there it can shine before all people. In Mother Theresa it honors a gifted educator and at the same time a remarkable educational institution, which continues to this very day in many countries and continents through the Congregation of the School Sisters of Notre Dame which she founded.

“The secret of the great fruitfulness of Mother Theresa’s educational work, besides her professional competence, was the radiance of her own spiritual life, unshakable trust in God and ardent love of Christ and of the poor*. Holy Scripture, the Eucharist, and prayer were her source of inner strength. She spent long hours before the tabernacle in the quiet of the night, seeking to know God’s will and asking for the strength to fulfill it. She chose Mary as a model for herself and for her sisters, and dedicated the congregation to her. They were to live and act like Mary, directing their entire lives to God and bringing Christ into the world.”  Pope John Paul II, excerpts from the Beatification Liturgy


Top left: The image of Mother Theresa used at her Beatification. Artist: Erich Klimek, Bavaria, 1985
 
Left: S. Mary Margaret Johanning, General Superior (1977-87) gives John Paul II a medal of Mother Theresa and  a volume of S. M. Liobgid Ziegler’s biography of our foundress.

Bottom: The beatification ceremony at St. Peter's, Rome.

*Love Cannot Wait: These words of Blessed M. Theresa are used as the name given to the Call of the 23th General Chapter. 


Video excerpts of ceremony from Sturdy Roots.

God has created us for heaven.  For this Jesus became human and died on the cross; for this he has sanctified us through the Holy Spirit.  

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 11
Trust & Dare, November 17

November 16 - Mother Theresa Gerhardinger made her final profession of vows

This decorative item 
with Mother Theresa’s picture 
is located in St. Gall’s Chapel
 where Mother Theresa 
pronounced her Vows. 

1835: Mother Theresa's final profession of vows took place very quietly at 6:45am, in St. Gall’s Chapel, Regensburg, immediately after morning mass.

"I, Theresa of Jesus, vow and promise God the Almighty, our glorious Mother Mary, our holy father Augustine, all the dear saints, and your Reverences to keep the Rule of the Poor School Sisters my entire life, as and insofar as it has been approved by the Most Reverend Bishop, and to live in obedience, in poverty, in chastity, and for the teaching and character development of girls and young women."


Auxiliary Bishop Urban accepted her vows in the name of the Church. From then on, Caroline was known as Theresa of Jesus (like Teresa of Avila and Alix Le Clerc) with the title, Reverend Mother.

On the same day she asked the Bishop for permission to accept the six women with her into the novitiate.

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Accept me totally!  I desire to cease living; you alone, O Jesus, live in me!  

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2
Trust & Dare, November 16

November 15 - I want to learn to die ...

St. Louis, Missouri 

2011 

Artist: S. Marie Henderson, RSM

I want to learn to die so that when death comes I can cry out with Paul, “Christ is my life; death, my reward!” 

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger,  3
Trust & Dare, November 15

November 14 - Do you feel thoroughly inconsistent...?

Artist, unknown, 1934.
Elberfeld, (Wuppertal) Germany 

Do you feel thoroughly inconsistent, unstable, faint-hearted, and unfaithful, really weak and inconstant in doing good?  Then, pray: “Jesus, my root, my strength, my constancy, my perseverance!”  

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2664
Trust & Dare, November 14

November 13 - Saint Augustine's birthday

St. Augustine,
front altar by the
chair of Peter, at
St. Peter's Basilica, Rome

354: Augustine of Hippo was born in Tagaste (modern day Souk Ahras, Algeria).

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1834: Anna Aichinger (Sister M. Josepha) entered as the first candidate at Neunburg vorm Wald.

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“ What you have done to the least of mine, you have done to me” – good and evil!  Let us stand still a minute and reflect that these actions will determine whether we will one day stand on the right side with the chosen or on the left side with the rejected!”  

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 949
Trust & Dare, November 13

November 12 - ... let us scatter seed for eternity ...

Artist: S. Mary Magdalen Nomoto, SSND. 

Cover of CAROLINE’S DREAM,  

a children’s book on the life of Mother Theresa.

Since we do not know what tomorrow will bring with it, let us scatter seed for eternity as long as there is time.  

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 1791
Trust & Dare, November 12

November 11 - As you live ...

Wood relief carving. 

Artist, Alencar, 1994.

São Paulo, Brazil

As you live, so you die; what you have become in your life, only that can you be at the end; what you sow, only that can you reap. 
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2

Trust & Dare, November 11

November 10 - Are you about to despair ...

The stained glass window
is located in St. John’s Parish

 Church, Neumarkt/Opf.,
Germany.

1829: Anna Hotz decided that she was not called to live the religious life. Her decision left Caroline Gerhardinger alone.

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1852: From his sickbed, Cardinal Diepenbrock encouraged Mother Theresa: "A rule for an order which is destined to exist for centuries must also be appropriate for such a period of time. Entertain the firm conviction that the Holy Father, directed by the Holy Spirit, will confirm what God himself has permitted gradually to come into existence as a rule in your Order."

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Are you about to despair of yourself? . . . then, you may stand on the true rock and call out, entreating: “Jesus, eternal source, in you I live and move; in, from, and through you everything is good and meritorious, you, the only origin and eternal beginning of all good, all happiness!”  

Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 2664
Trust & Dare, November 10

November 9 - Am I prepared for the great journey into eternity?

S. Patricia Flynn
General Superior 1987-1998

1987: Patricia Flynn was elected tenth General Superior in Rome. 

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1989: The Berlin Wall fell. In many ways the fall symbolized the end of the Cold War. Throughout those difficult times the Congregation remained united. Read more - Sturdy Roots.

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What about myself now?  Am I prepared for the great journey into eternity?  Will my lamp be burning and filled with the oil of good works when the bridegroom comes?
Blessed M. Theresa Gerhardinger, 11
Trust & Dare, November 9

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Image: Wood statue.
Sculptor: Alojzy Fòjcik, 1986.
Gift from the Polish Province to the sisters of West Berlin. A similar one was given to the sisters of East Berlin at the same time.
Read account of Sister M. Beata Nordhues, then Provincial-Leader.