Anna's in Germany!!

2013 is the 150^th Jubilee of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration.  It is truly a blessing that Pope Francis, in his first decree March 27, acknowledged a miracle attributed to the intercession of the Mother Maria Theresia Bonzel, foundress of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration.  Her beatification is November 10, 2013.

An anonymous benefactor donated money so 48 of the sisters and postulants from the eastern province in Mishawaka, Indiana could travel to Germany November 6.  I would have loved to see the reaction of onlookers when the group of 48 sisters and postulants joyfully walked through O’Hare airport and then boarded the plane!!  For many of the younger sisters , this was their first trip abroad.

They will be joined by seven priests from Indiana, the Bishop of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, eight sisters from the Philippines, nine sisters from Brazil, and seven sisters from the western US province in Colorado.

Anna and the sisters will visit the motherhouse in Olpe, Germany, along with the “old” motherhouse and the birth house of Mother Maria Theresia.  They will travel to Paderborn, Germany for the vigil celebration and of course the beatification on Sunday, November 10.  The following day they will celebrate a Pontifical mass with Cardinal Cordes which will include the new texts of Blessed Maria Theresia.  The travel itinerary allows no time for what I would call sightseeing.  

Anna wrote that all the sisters were surprised to be given 130 euros each for spending money.  Of course they were told they would need to by some meals and track all spending, but should have enough for a “treat”! Anna said she was just excited to get some money.  Ah, the joy of the vow of poverty.

Bless the sisters who remained in Indiana to cover perpetual adoration and ministries.

One funny story.  Due to issues with hotel booking, the sisters gave up some of their rooms for the priests who were travelling to the beatification.  This meant the postulants would end up sleeping on floors (and there is not much floor space in those European hotel rooms).  Anna and 3 others volunteered to also pack an air mattress in their small suitcase.  When the 'air mattresses' arrived, Anna just had to laugh.  The air mattresses were actually pool rafts and of course were labeled 'use only in water'. 

More information on Mother Maria Theresia and the beatification: http://www.diocesefwsb.org/Beatification-of-Mother-Maria-Theresia-Bonzel