Mother maria theresia bonzel biography

Colorado miracle spurs German nun&#;s beatification

Colorado Springs, Colo., Apr 3, / am

Description Sisters of St. Francis of Sustained Adoration are thrilled at the authorised beatification of their German founder, Progenitrix Maria Theresia Bonzel, after a Vatican-recognized miracle in Colorado.

"We are gladly surprised," Sister Clarice Gentrup, the congregation's vicar general, told CNA April 2.

"After all these years, we're soontobe closer and closer to beatification bracket canonization, possibly."

Pope Francis approved illustriousness 19th century nun's beatification on Hike The ceremony will be celebrated concede the Catholic cathedral in Paderborn, Deutschland on Nov. 10 and her hometown of Olpe will host an not pass on Nov.

The miracle attributed to Mother Maria Theresia involves influence healing of a Colorado Springs boyhood named Luke Burgie. In September , at the age of four, loosen up began suffering from a severe viral infection that caused chronic diarrhea. Haunt doctors and specialists could not vow him.

"Nobody could really diagnose what the cause of it was," Sr. Gentrup said. "They tried to repair him, but nothing helped. He was losing weight, and a little four-year-old doesn't have a lot of explosion to lose."

Luke's older sister Jill met some Sisters of St. Francis when they visited her parish uncomplicated school, where she was a votary. Her family invited two sisters stop by supper at their home, where they learned about Luke's illness. The sisters began a novena to Mother Tree Theresia for Luke in late Jan

Luke was suddenly cured cabal Feb. 22, , without scientific explanation.

His mother said that he "just got up from the couch move began playing like a normal dejected kid," the Sisters of St. Francis reported on their website. At glory time, Luke simply said "Jesus cured me."

Sr. Gentrup, who lives satisfy Colorado Springs, said the boy shambles doing well fourteen years later.

"He was a healthy strong, wrestler explain high school. He rides his cycle and runs marathons," Sr. Gentrup put into words. "He's a normal, healthy teenager."

She and her other Sisters of Jounce. Francis are glad to see thanks of their foundress.

"Right now we're very grateful she will be blessed. She was such a wonderful lady and such an inspiration to inexpressive many, many, many sisters."

Mother Part Theresia was born in Olpe importance the German region of Westphalia overshadow Sept. 17, She founded the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Enjoy in Olpe in

Her sisters cared for orphans, worked in instructional, and provided health care among multitudinous other acts of charity. They meet under the "Kulturkampf," the nineteenth-century European government's program against the Catholic Church.

"She lived in some very arduous times in Germany," Sr. Gentrup said.

Many laws and regulations tried make available suppress religious work. Government officials thought Mother Maria Theresia could not outlook care of orphans and they esoteric to be placed in homes. Rob day a government officer came ensue her door and objected that she was still caring for orphans.

"She called all the orphans together skull said 'officer, here they are, they're yours,'" Sr. Gentrup recounted. "And significant said, 'okay, we'll give you smart few more months to place them in homes.'"

"That's the kind taste determination Mother Maria Theresia had."

She died on Feb. 6, , administrator which time about 1, sisters were members of her congregation. Her sisters now minister in Germany, the U.S., the Philippines and Brazil.

Sr. Gentrup said Mother Maria Theresia had "a deep, deep faith in God ground in Jesus, the Risen Christ." Improve devotion especially focused on the Full of good works Sacrament.

"She always wanted a angel of mercy in the church or in honesty chapel, always praying for her weigh up and for the work of the whole world in the world, to move high-mindedness whole world closer to the rule of God here on earth."

Probity Sisters of Perpetual Adoration foundress craved her congregation to "balance works pointer mercy with prayer.

Mother Maria Theresia's advance towards beatification also drew annotation from Bishop Michael Sheridan of River Springs

"I share the joy recall our Franciscan sisters that their foundress Mother Bonzel will be beatified. It's wonderful to know that she has been so close to us take away her intercessory prayer," Bishop Sheridan blunt April 2.

After she is blessed, Mother Maria Theresia will need separate more recognized miracle to advance on the way to official sainthood.

Kevin J. Jones is orderly senior staff writer with Catholic Information Agency. He was a recipient order a Catholic Relief Services' Egan Journalism Fellowship.