All Saints Day

Heaven is the community of the triumphant church of which Jesus is the head.  This assembly of the elect will come from all centuries, from all nations, from all ranks of society; princes and subjects, rich and poor, married people and virgins, hermits and business people, innocents and penitents will be together.  What bliss and joy!  Trust and Dare November 1; MT 11

Image in Gorizia, Italy

 

1857 The first SSND mission in Italy was opened in Gorizia.   

 

 

May Mary, the most holy mother of God, take us all under her protection.  Trust and Dare, October 31; MT 4517

The Lord will direct all to the glory of his name; we wish and desire nothing else. Trust and Dare, October 30; MT 4670

Mother M. Georgianne Segner
General Superior 1968-1977

1864 The first SSND mission in England was opened in East London (Whitechapel). 

2000 Mother Georgianne Segner, 8th General Superior (1968-1977), died in Chatawa, MS, USA

May no one cast into the grave after me the accusation that I have undertaken too much here, that I have begun too grandly and extended the work of God too widely.  The future will give a fuller explanation.  Trust and Dare, October 29; MT 736

This banner was part of the Centennial Celebration in the former St. Louis Province.
Written on it are the names of the 3,125 members of the St. Louis Province
from 1895 to 1995. It is the work of Sister Josephine Niemann, SSND.

God will reward what each and all have done for the extension of his reign on earth.  Trust and Dare, October 28; MT 1997

 

1867 Mother Theresa wrote to the congregation's Cardinal Protector:
“We consider it a special grace that your Eminence has designated some houses in Rome for us. These critical times, however, have made heavy monetary demands on us, and we must help our impoverished missions. This makes the fulfillment of our most ardent wishes impossible. We will have to wait for God to give us in the future what is being withheld from us now.” (#4202)  

Even the least is great in the service of the great king of heaven and earth.       Trust and Dare, October 27; MT 5327

Photo by S. Inês Camiran

God, almighty and infinitely merciful, will for Jesus’ sake bring his work to its desired end, as he has led and protected it from the beginning.  Trust and Dare, October 26; MT 2607

May the Lord of the vineyard give growth so that what his love has called into being may bear blessed fruit in this time. Trust and Dare, October 25; MT 3339

Photo by S. Inês Camiran

Heavenly Father, through the intercession of the holiest and ever Virgin Mary, bless our congregation, prostrate at your feet, praying to you with all our hearts.  Keep us from all harm within and without so that we may serve you in peace and harmony according to your holy pleasure.  Trust and Dare, October 24; MT 2053

                                                                                    

Foundation Day

The congregation of the School Sisters of Notre Dame came to life 193 years ago when God’s call found an answer in the hearts of people strong in faith, farseeing in vision, and courageous in action.

May their response to God's call continue to be our response.

Nine-Year Novena

* * *

Today we also mark United Nations Day.
May God bless all efforts toward uniting peoples and nations.
May God bless the United Nations!

* * *

1833  Caroline Gerhardinger (later, Mother Theresa), Barbara Weinzierl and Maria Blass began a common religious life in Neunburg vorm Wald, Bavaria. This marks the foundation of the congregation. 

1968 Mother Georgianne Segner was elected the 8th General Superior (1968-1977). 

1977 S. Mary Margaret Johanning was elected 9th General Superior (1977-1987). 

We should devote all our energy . . . that God be fully glorified, honored, and loved and, thus, his reign extended.  This the Lord Jesus himself did untiringly until the end of his life . . . and after him his apostles, who suffered poverty, hunger, and exposure to lead people to God.  Trust and Dare, October 23; MT 714

Mother Theresa the letter writer. Taken from a book in Munich.

Our congregational publication In Mission is now available on our congregational website.

In Mission 2026

Have patience with yourself concerning the growth of the reign of God within you . . . and go ahead step by step - not all at once.  “The reign of God grows,” says Jesus. Trust and Dare, October 22; MT 2 

May the Lord bless all a thousandfold if only through this his name be glorified and his reign extended.  Trust and Dare, October 21; MT 3345

Colegio Sagrada Familia,
 the first school the Sisters started
in Forquilhinha Santa Catarina, Brazil, in 1935.  

    Created to celebrate the 70th anniversary
of  SSNDs coming to Brazil,
October 21, 2005. 

1847 Mother Theresa began teaching at St. Michael, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

1935 The first SSNDs from Silesia arrived in Forquilhinha, SC, Brazil

2017 The members of the 24^th General Chapter announced the election of the sisters who would form the General Council for 2018-2024.

 

May God be with us!  Our consolation is that God rules the world and Christ, the Lord, his church.  Trust and Dare, October 20; MT 3001

Image in Ghana

1970 The first SSND mission in Africa was opened in Monrovia, Liberia by sisters of the Wilton Province.

1992 In Liberia, two sisters, members of the congregation of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, were killed in the civil war which began in 1989. Three days later, three more sisters were murdered. 

May the storm brought about by the enemies of the church soon subside!  The Lord does rest in the little ship; by his mighty word he can command even these elements, and he will do so.  Trust and Dare, October 19; MT 4742

Stormy sea depicts Mother Theresia's journey to North America
Artist: Hans Jürgen Bröckl 

In God’s kingdom on earth things do not go as the two disciples thought who asked our dear Lord that he let one sit at his right and the other at his left.  Rather, things go exactly according to the word of the Lord: “You don’t know what you are asking.  Can you drink the cup of suffering that I will offer you?” Trust and Dare, October 18; MT 44

Generalate Chapel

2017 Sister Roxanne Schares was elected the 13th General Superior at the 24th General Chapter in Marriottsville, Maryland, USA. 

United and content with little, we go out into the whole world, into the tiniest villages, into the poorest dwellings, wherever the Lord calls us, to bring poor children the good news of God’s kingdom.  Trust and Dare, October 17; MT 144

1994 The Shalom Network began. This is the collaborative congregational effort for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation. 

In unity is our strength; therefore, we must hold to this anchor above all. Trust and Dare, October 16; MT 4980

Image from Munich
Artist: Gisela Pape-Weinrich

World Food Day 

1843  Solemn dedication of the Motherhouse in Munich. This was the 500th anniversary of the Poor Clares entering this cloister which was now renovated for the SSNDs.

1956 Official reconsecration of St. James, the Motherhouse church of the Bavarian Province. It had been destroyed during a bombing of Munich, Germany, in 1944. The reconsecration took place during the 1956 General Chapter. 

1964 The first SSNDs went to Chile: Sisters Mary O'Connor, María José Tresch, and María Eugenia Ortiz. 

2002 The Call to Transformation was approved by the 21st General Chapter in Freising, Germany

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Even though we are scattered throughout the world belonging to various countries and cultures, let us always maintain that true Catholic life which embraces all the faithful in the world.  Trust and Dare, October 15; MT 3006

    October 15 - Name day of Blessed Mary Theresia of Jesus Gerhardinger

1851     The first SSND mission was opened in Silesia at Breslau, now Wroclaw, Poland.

1895     A new motherhouse was established in St. Louis, now part of the 

             Central Pacific Province.

Be always of one heart and one mind like the first Christians, who thereby edified Gentile and Jew alike and filled all with enthusiasm for Christianity. 

Trust and Dare, October 14; MT 5210

 We must all responsibly cherish God’s work.  Trust and Dare, October 13; MT 5025

St. John Neumann 1811--1860

1963 John Neumann was beatified by Pope Paul VI.  

2007 Sister Mary Maher was elected 12th General Superior.

Fruitless will all our efforts be and remain if our life is not in accord with the dignity of our vocation.  Therefore, let your light shine, so that all who see it may glorify your Father in heaven . . . and so that all may begin to praise and love our Lord Jesus with us.  Trust and Dare, October 12; MT 3006

Our Lady of Aparecida
Patroness of Brazil, Feast Day October 12

 

Let us lay aside all unkindness, bearing each other’s weaknesses patiently, lovingly offering one another the hand of forgiveness before the sun sets!  Trust and Dare, October 11; MT 4760

Generalate chapel

International Day of the Girl Child

1966 The Generalate was blessed and the new chapel was dedicated to Mary, Mother of the Church. This title was given to Mary at the close of the third session of Vatican Council II.    

2012 Sister Mary Maher was elected to a second term as General Superior.  Video.

A branch which tears away from the trunk withers and is thrown into the fire; a kingdom divided against itself disintegrates; an army in disunity will be destroyed; a leaking ship sinks.  Trust and Dare, October 10; MT 3006

Image - Budapest, Hungary

1858 The first SSND mission in Hungary was opened in Temesvàr (present day Romania). Six Bavarian School Sisters settled in Temesvár and began teaching.

Because of the mistakes and imperfection of one person, we may not give up the work of God.  Trust and Dare, October 9; MT 5025

Image from Hungary

Mary, the noble queen of heaven, will obtain for us from her divine Son, Jesus, help in our need, protection in our danger, comfort in affliction, blessing in our work, growth and perseverance in the pursuit of perfection, security in death, and happiness in eternal life.  Trust and Dare, October 7; MT 3520

1871 Mother Caroline Friess arrived in St. Agatha, Ontario, Canada with Sisters Joachim Bushmann and Hunigundis Brust who would take charge of St. Agatha orphanage and teach at the school. This was the first mission in Canada. 

2002 Sister Rosemary Howarth was re-elected as General Superior.

Of what use is all our effort and care if the Lord does not build the house.      Trust and Dare, October 6; MT 4664

Where there is no peace and harmony, there the blessing of the Lord vanishes.  Trust and Dare, October 5; MT 2769

 

    

Tombstone in Neunburg lists
the first 24 SSNDs who died in Neunburg.

1839 Novice Klara Bräu died. This was the first death in the congregation. (tombstone photo)