ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN FEBRUARY
Saints celebrated on the 2nd of February
SAINT MARIA KATHARINA KASPER, FOUNDRESS
Saint Katharina Kasper was born on May 26, 1820, the daughter of a farmer in the Westerwald, Germany. In 1845, together with four other women, she founded an association dedicated to the home care of the sick and elderly, as well as childcare. From this association, the cooperative of the poor maidservants of Jesus Christ emerged in 1851.
THEY TOOK THEIR VOWS
Finally, on August 15, 1851, Katharina Kasper and four of her companions took their vows before Bishop Blum of Limburg. Katharina Kasper took the religious name Maria and became the first leader of the Congregation of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.
THE FIRST SISTERS WENT TO INDIANA, USA
In 1868, on the advice of Bishop Blum, the first sisters went to the diocese of Fort Wayne (Indiana, USA) and founded their own branches there.
SUPERIOR GENERAL
On June 1, 1870 the Order was confirmed by the Vatican and placed under the leadership of the Superior General, Mother Maria Katharina Kasper.
Then, on May 21, 1890, the Congregation received the final approval of its Constitutions from Pope Leo XIII.
193 BRANCHES
In the year of Maria Katharina Kasper's death, 1898, the community already had 1,725 members in 193 branches.
Beatified on April 16, 1978, Maria Katharina was canonised on October 14, 2018.
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