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!  Trust and Dare November 30; MT2664

St. Peter Fourier (1565 - 1640)

Advent Prayer Intention

World Peace

In a world troubled by tensions, violence, injustice and war, millions of people long for

peace and freedom, thousands are affected by the crises of our world. We stand in solidarity

with them and pray that steps toward peace may be successful and lead to change in hearts,

in behavior and in our reality. 

1565: Peter Fourier was born at Mirecourt in Lorraine.

Vict

There are differences in the glory of heaven; however, even if we are only among the least, our joy and happiness will be incomprehensible.  Trust and Dare November 29; MT11

Needlework banner

                                        

Heaven is eternal life, without pain, without tears, without death. . . . Heaven is the  most intimate union with God.  Trust and Dare November 28; MT11

Mother Evangela Wagner accompanied sisters leaving for Japan in 1948.
From left to right: Mother Evangela, Sisters Eugenia Laker, Mary Paul Niemann, Vivienne Hazelett
and Richard Ann (Mary Louise Fitzgibbon).

1948 The first SSNDs arrive in Japan. 

2019 Pope Francis authorized a decree of heroic virtues for Bishop Georg Michael Wittmann  who was instrumental in the founding of our congregation. 

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How well we will one day rest in God!  Trust and Dare November 27; MT 984

Artist: Xavier Hutter, 1952

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

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.

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.  Trust and Dare November 26; MT 11

Image in school lobby in Regensburg

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!”  Trust and Dare November 25; MT 2664

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

What is the essence of hell?  Separation from God for all eternity. 
Trust and Dare November 24; MT 11

Photo by S. Inês Camiran

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

1949 M.Fidelis Krieter, 7th Commissary General in North America, died.

The dear God, the rich Lord of heaven and earth, will reward us; he said: “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy!”  Trust and Dare November 23; MT 1887

Stained glass, Artist: S. Maxine Poppa

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.)

1982 The 17^th General Chapter committed the congregation to bring hope to a world marked by violence.

After death immediately comes the judgment of God, who has seen all and knows all.  Trust and Dare November 22; MT 11

Photo by S. Inês Camiran

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! Trust and Dare November 21; MT 5199

Presentation of Mary
SSND convent chapel, Ilirska Bistrica, Slovenia

1961 Laying of the cornerstone for the current Generalate.

1987 The Directional Statement "Making the Concerns of the Poor Our Own" was approved by the 18th General Chapter in Rome.

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! Trust and Dare November 20; MT 3

Santo Antonio da Patrulha, Brazil
1942, S. Maria Teorofa Krzonkalla

World Children's Day

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.

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!  Trust and Dare November 19; MT 2664

 

1997 The Call of  the 20^th General Chapter was approved in Mundelein, Illinois. 

We die only once – once miserable, forever miserable!  After death there is no time to do good.  Trust and Dare November 18; MT 11 

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. Trust and Dare November 17; MT 11

 

1985 Blessed Mary Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger was beatified in Rome by Pope John Paul II.

2023 Closing of the 25th General Chapter

Accept me totally!  I desire to cease living; you alone, O Jesus, live in me!  Trust and Dare November 16; MT 2

Decorative items from St. Gall's Chapel

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 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.

I want to learn to die so that when death comes, I can cry out with Paul, “Christ is my life; death, my reward!”  Trust and Dare November 15; MT 3

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!”  Trust and Dare November 14; MT 2664

Generalate Chapel

Rome, Italy

“ 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!”  Trust and Dare November 13; MT 949

St. Augustine
Wiki-Public-Domain-e1609161787338-400x360

 

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

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

Since we do not know what tomorrow will bring with it, let us scatter seed for eternity as long as there is time.  Trust and Dare November 12; MT 1791

Kreative Verma, CC BY-SA 4.0 >, via Wikimedia Commons

 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.  Trust and Dare November 11; MT 2

Sunset from the Generalate, Rome, Italy

Photo by S. Maria Iannuccillo

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!”  Trust and Dare November 10; MT 2664

 

Statue of Blessed Theresa, St. Louis

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

1852 From his sickbed, Cardinal Diepenbrock encouraged Mother Theresia: "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."

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?  Trust and Dare November 9; MT 11

 

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

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. 

S. M. Dominica Michalke

General Superior 2023-

2023 S. M. Dominica Michalke was elected the 14th General Superior in Rome.

How necessary it is for us to prepare for death, . . . to follow St. Paul’s advice to judge ourselves already now. Trust and Dare November 8; MT 2

 

1936 The School Sisters of Notre Dame, settling in Forquilhinha, Brazil, answered the call to meet the health-care needs of the people in the area of Criciúma, and opened the Hospital São José. It is now also a school for training nurses. It is the only hospital in the congregation. 

1984 A committee of doctors agreed that the cure of M. Tecla Medeiros, SSND, of Brazil, could not be explained medically. This was part of the Beatification process of Mother Theresa.

 

Unexpected, like a thief, the Lord of life will come and call us away; so let us be always ready for death and eternity.  Trust and Dare November 7; MT 714

 

Caroline, the teacher in the classroom
Illustration taken from "The Story of Mother Theresa of Jesus, SSND," a booklet written for the sisters' students for the centenary of the congregation (1933), Milwaukee

1809    Caroline Gerhardinger, age 12, began teaching in Stadtamhof under the direction of Father George Maurer. Teaching with her were Anna Hotz, age 12, and Anna Braun, age 17. Caroline later became Mother M. Theresa of Jesus, foundress of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

 

We are destined to die.  But when?  By day or by night?  Today or tomorrow?  How?  Suddenly or after an illness?  Where?  At home, or in church, or on the street?  Without the holy sacraments of the dying or provided with them?  Trust and Dare November 6; MT 11

Chapel in Generalate