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Pilgrims steeped in Bavarian heritage of FSPA founders

From June 3-20, a group of 12 Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (FSPA) headed for Ettenbeuren, Germany, to walk in the steps of the women who founded their community. Through this Founding Energies Pilgrimage, the pilgrims were led to the wellspring of inspiration, strength and faith for the foundresses. Upon their return from Bavaria, several pilgrims reflected on their experiences abroad.

Pilgrims pose in front of the 'FSPA' tree planted at Father Manfred Krumm's parish (Christ the King) in Augsburg. Seated, from left, Sisters Kathy Roberg, Fran Sulzer, guide, Romana Klaubauf and Rochelle Potaracke. Standing, from left, Sisters Mary Arnoldussen, Betty Bradley, Jean Ann Rausch, Fran Yanisch, Karen Kappell, Mary Kathryn Fogarty, Lucy Ann Meyer, Margaret Wagner, Jean Moore and Beth Saner, guide.

How was the charism of the early founding sisters revealed to you during the pilgrimage?

Sister Jean Moore: Stepping into the places and spaces of our founders of Bavaria, I began to get a sense for the resiliency and stamina they must have acquired through their collective ecclesial and political history of the Reformation and Secularization. This resiliency came through again in the stories we heard from our hosts of Hitler and World War II, and the reunification of East and West Germany.

Sister Mary Arnoldussen: Our early founders were just ordinary people who felt a call to take a risk. They risked leaving their country and went to America to begin a new religious community. Yes, they had courage and determination and the faith in God that all would be okay. Look at what they had achieved.

As I look upon our place in history today we, too, have a vision, a dream that will keep us looking ahead as an individual and as a community in ways we can serve the church and one another.

Sister Rochelle Potaracke: Walking in the footsteps of our founders has given me a deeper appreciation for all who have gone before me in community. The Eucharist/love of God was woven into the daily lives of our founders and continues today. The determination and focus of the early founders can be seen today in our joint efforts with the three communities.

How can the motivations and insights gained during the pilgrimage be translated into your work today?

Sister Jean Moore: Naturally, because I am involved with mission effectiveness, the awareness of the places and people of our origins takes on a whole new meaning.

However, the underlying connection I felt in this pilgrimage was through the dynamic of relationships between the Bavarian people and their familial and national ancestors, between the Bavarian people and those of our congregations who have gone before us, and between the Bavarian people and us, the pilgrims of 2006 and of the pilgrimages of earlier years. It is through the relationships that were born in the aftermath of World War II with Father Manfred Krumm, and in subsequent years with members of the parishes in Ettenbeuren and Augsburg.

Sisters Margaret Wagner and Mary Kathryn Fogarty, right front, sing Ave Maria with others at the site of Ottilie Dirr's birthplace.

It is this message of relationships among those listening and responding to the call of God to spread the Gospel message that I will carry into my work in mission effectiveness.

Sister Lucy Ann Meyer: I believe my experiences in Germany will be very useful as I teach and share stories about the history of our community to our newer members. The spirit of Aemiliana and Antonia was so real for me walking in their hometowns and praying in their churches. When I look at pictures of Aemiliana and Antonia in my office now, I see women whose courage and faith enabled them to step beyond their comfort zone and "risk" the impossible.

Sister Romana Klaubauf: I was particularly struck when we were in the village home area of Mother Antonia-Eichstatt. (Oh, to pronounce some of these German places as our hosts did!) As we entered the site where she would have worshipped, above the door were the words "All who enter here must adore." How did this simple phrase affect her formation, her beliefs and action around the promise of perpetual adoration? How do I/we adore today? What theology and Gospel insights inspire me/us?

Sister Betty Bradley: Meeting the Germans in their small villages, I felt as if I was immersed in the spirit of our foundresses and founders. A faith-filled and celebrative joy was evidenced throughout our journey. I believe our foundresses were living in this spirit of dedication as they embarked on their way to found a new religious congregation. Their spirit of faith, celebration, joy and dedicated love is what I hope to continue in my ministry.
Sister Frances Yanisch: The insights and motivations I gained during this enriching and inspirational pilgrimage will help me further appreciate our FSPA community heritage. Also, how the geographical area with its land, culture, political situation and religious beliefs and practices influences others who come to our country to make their home here.

Give your impressions of the hospitality of your hosts.

Sister Mary Arnoldussen: As I began to ponder on this question my mind was a complete blank. While I was waking up Sunday morning, Matt. 25:35-36 came to me.

Sisters Kathy Roberg, Mary Arnoldussen, Jean Ann Rausch and Betty Bradley dine along the Lenz River after a trip to the Alps.

"For I was hungry and you gave me to eat."

Yes, food was plenty and delicious and served with love. Food for thought was given to us through our presenters of various places we visited.

"I was thirsty and you gave me to drink."

Yes, we were thirsty not only for liquids but for knowledge of our early founders. Walking and standing at places of birth, schooling, ministry and burial grounds quenched our thirst.

"I was a stranger and you invited me in."

Our second evening we were invited to dinner by a host family. We were welcomed into their homes with reverence and love. There was an exchange of culture and tradition as we tried to communicate, German and English, with each other.

"I was naked and you clothed me."

We were clothed with love, cheerfulness, generosity, smiles, openness and gratitude.

"I was sick and you looked after me."

We were not sick but there were times we were "slow, tired and brain-dead with info." However they cheered us on and gave us renewed energy.

"I was in prison and you came to visit me."

Sisters Jean Moore, left, and Karen Kappell raise their glasses to toast their Bavarian roots.

So many times one tends to close the walls around us because of race, culture and language. In this way we become a prisoner in our own body. However, when one experiences the love, tenderness, gentleness, compassion, gratitude, etc., walls are broken down and we are free.

Sister Betty Bradley: Upon entering Munich, Germany, our Franciscan communities were greeted by smiles, Father Krumm, pilgrims who had come to the United States, and the Reisen-Lunz bus, a privately-owned bus beautifully equipped with plush seating, a bathroom and even a kitchenette. Arriving in our rooms at the seminary, welcome cards, fruit and chocolates awaited us. Each step of our journey was accompanied with this kind of hospitality. Smiles, waves, generous gifts, people trying to speak our language, an abundance of delicious food, afternoon coffee and kuchen, bands and processions made us feel welcomed and special. As we exited Germany to our United Airlines plane, pilgrims waved at us with both arms raised. Our memories and love for these wonderful people and experiences is a constant treasure to celebrate.

Sister Frances Yanisch: The hospitality of our hosts can't be beat! Friendly, helpful, generous-"Only the best" for us. No paper plates, Styrofoam cups or plastic flowers! Always a tablecloth. They expressed desires and plans to again come here to visit us. Having gotten to know them, I will make efforts to be available when they come to La Crosse.

Comment on your experiences while visiting sacred sites during your pilgrimage.

Sister Lucy Ann Meyer: "Ich bin bei euch alle Tage" or "I am with you always" is etched on the tabernacle of the Chapel of St. Crescentia Hoess. My heart was touched deeply and I remember feeling a powerful connection and bonding with my Franciscan call when we visited Crescentia's convent in Kaufbeuren. Her vision of the Trinity helped people relate better to God and she relished beauty as a reflection of the Divine on Earth. She was a great inspiration to the people of Bavaria and held in high esteem by her people. She lived her life and interacted with others in a loving and kind manner which caused her to be sought out for advice and healing. I believe Crescentia emulated in her daily life choices of what it means to be "in relationship" as a Franciscan today. What a beautiful example she is for all of us!

The pilgrims gather with Marlene Schultz at an ancient site of the Beguines in Augsburg.

Sister Rochelle Potaracke: The most moving experience for me was visiting the church in Ettenbeuren. I remember when my "Tante" Mother Rose Kreibich went to Ettenbeuren for the first time, and the memories that surfaced as Father Krumm was sharing that visit in the early '50s. As we walked in processions down the streets of Ettenbeuren, tears continued to flow with the overwhelming recognition that these six women were remembered and loved today-2006! There were so many churches and burial grounds that we visited, but Crescentia's was my favorite. The Germans do not need the bones of someone to venerate, they venerate the people. Sisters in our communities are very much like Crescentia, and these are the saints!

What are your overall impressions of the pilgrimage?

Sister Karen Kappell: I came to appreciate the gift of diversity that has been a part of our community from its founding.

We saw many different churches with a varied artistic expression of faith in paintings, architecture and statues:

Romanesque (the favored Madonna), Baroque (very ornate and in most of the churches), and highly expressionistic (crosses and the ethereal Holy Spirit visioned by Sister Crescentia). All these were present in the surroundings of our founders and spoke to the spirituality of the time and gave a layered sense of influences on their experience of the Divine. Visiting the places that our founders came from gave me an understanding of why we honor and preserve a particular style or expression of faith: perpetual adoration, gathering together in prayer, celebrating high feasts, and decorating in ornate and exuberant fashion of the Baroque style. In contrast the simple lifestyle felt from Bavaria's countryside homes, the hospitable people, and farmland spoke of the everyday experience of God in their lives. Tucked away someplace in their homes, on the streets, and in public squares were reminders of God in their daily lives: shrines, statues and unique church steeples and the simple beauty of God in fields and mountains. It struck me that we attempt to experience the same: the majesty and the simplicity of the Divine perhaps expressed today in our ornate chapels and in our small home prayer spaces. Both are blessings of the diversity in expression of our belief in the Divine.

My immediate reflection on this was a simple poetic expression that I wrote that evening.
Such ornamentation
Such mystery
To grasp it all-to express it all
The way to show depth was to shout it out
to blare it out
Today to sit and contemplate

Sister Jean Ann Rausch: "We now see through a glass darkly, but then we shall see God face to face."
On this Founding Energies Pilgrimage my focus concentrated on windows. Through them I was able to glimpse God's glory and our Bavarian community and family roots.

Sister Fran Sulzer, left, speaks with the great, great grandniece of Theresia Moser, one of the six founders.

Through the bus windows I viewed the lush green countryside, small villages of clustered white stucco homes and red-tiled roofs surrounded by colorful flowers and vegetable gardens. All were meticulously kept and spoke to me of families who take great pride in their homes and communities. Their homes were blessed with many windows which were partially covered with lace curtains depicting their openness for hospitality, yet affording them some privacy. I feel the Bavarian people are in touch with the beauty of creation, cherish it, and are good stewards of their land. I feel my community and family exemplify those same virtues.

Due to World War II air strikes, the churches have lost their beautiful Bavarian mosaic windows like those in Maria Angelorum. Today most churches have clear windows which allow God's light to brighten and warm the interiors. Through them God's divine light enters their lives physically and spiritually. I feel Mother Antonia built our chapel like the Bavarian people-giving the very best to glorify God.

If eyes are the windows of the soul, I certainly saw the face of God in our Bavarian friends and our sister communities. This was my first opportunity to connect with the OSFs and the FSEs. Openness and warm smiles reflected God's love as they shared their deep faith, history and hospitality. Once again these same qualities are cherished in my community and family.

Before I began this pilgrimage, I saw through a glass darkly, but now I see more clearly God's great blessings through my Bavarian community and family roots. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this tremendous privilege.

Sister Kathy Roberg: The time frame of June 3-20, 2006, will forever be recorded in the history of my mind and heart. The three Franciscan communities-FSPA, OSF and FSE-all birthed from the same mother foundress, Mother Aemiliana, made a pilgrimage to her motherland, Bavaria, Germany, following in her footsteps.
Some people say "I never really knew my mother," so they search far and wide, through the internet, archives, Mormon genealogy, cemetery records to find relative information about their mother. This was my quest-to make connections with our religious community's mother.

This sketch by Sister Karen Kappell depicts the onion-shaped domes of the home village of Mother Aemiliana in Ebersbach and Ettenbeuren, and a memorial to the three communities located in Our Lady of the Assumption church yard in Ettenbeuren.

I had heard the facts, but had unanswered questions. Who was this woman? What made Ottilie Dirr the woman she was? What colored her life? How did her motherland and relationships with people form her values? As we first gathered in Milwaukee at our original motherhouse, I began to see clearer connections. The ambience of being in the original dining room and early dorm where our foundress and sisters had gathered and standing on holy ground at Calvary Cemetery strongly stirred the longing to turn back the pages of our history to cross over to Bavaria.

We crossed over to Bavaria, the land of Mother Aemiliana's birth. I experienced resurrection as I stepped onto holy ground, perhaps walking the same path she had done, prayed in the churches of her early life, stood in awe at the beautiful angels and frescos on church ceilings and let the voices of the choir penetrate my soul.
I experienced living resurrection in the loving hearts of the people I met, when eyes met eyes, smiles spoke welcomes, and arms and hearts embraced.

The wondrous glories of God touched the earth with reverence, cultivated with brilliant blossoms, manicured homesteads and landscaped forests.

The feminine face of God was revealed in women of ages past, such as St. Crescentia Hoess from Kaufbeuren, the sisters at Dilligen and the courageous women of the Beguines. Perhaps Mother Aemiliana's spirituality and dream of founding a religious community may have been influenced by these women.

Ministry with the poor was obvious when we visited a center for the deaf and developmentally challenged and Germany's first low-income housing project. Our direction statement resonated loudly in my heart.

In all of these beautiful experiences I knew I had met my mother. Her dream and values, fully resurrected today in her motherland, Bavaria, also rings true in the hearts and lives of our communities and all the lives we touch as we minister to God's people. I walk forward, strengthened to live out the dream of being God's presence in this world.

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