ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN FEBRUARY
Saints celebrated on the 11th of February
OTTILIA WIDMANN, VIRGIN
Ottilia (remembered on February 11), surnamed Widmann, was a devout nun of the Third Order of St Francis. She died in 1583 at Lenzfried near Kempten.
THE "GREY SISTERS"
Since 1460, this order also had a small monastery near the St Magnus Church in Kempten. Here the community was called the "grey sisters." It was here that our Ottilia Widmann was dressed in the habit of the Order and took her vows.
SHE TOOK HER VOWS
Perhaps she was already suffering with her eye-ailment back then, which might be the reason for her to have been given the name Ottilia. In her later years she became completely blind.
THEY WERE BANISHED
In 1537 the good sisters were driven out by the Kempten magistrate, who had reneged on their fathers' faith, and had to travel around in misery for eleven years until finally in 1548 the Franciscans in Lenzfried gave them their little monastery.
THE INFANT JESUS
The pious Sister Ottilia had to go along with and endure all these hardships of expulsion and banishment. Although she was blind for many years, she was able to see with her own eyes the baby Jesus who appeared to her often, which was a great comfort to her.
(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Kempten, St Lorenz Monastery - choir stalls)
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