Sister Mary Benigna Brandl, SSND
(née Theresia Brandl)
First Profession April 1, 1938
Motherhouse
Munich, Germany
Beloved sister of 2 SSND sisters in Europe.
Theresia Brandl was the seventh of 16 children born to Joseph and Sabina Brandl of Oberpfalz, Germany. Three of those children eventually became School Sisters of Notre Dame, though Theresia was the only one to leave Germany.
One of young Theresia's fondest memories of her childhood in Germany was the day of her first Communion. "It was very special," she once said. She wore a white dress with a wreath of flowers in her hair to the elaborate ceremony, and she carried a large candle with streamers hanging from it. Though she was only ten years old, the memory always remained one of her most cherished.
But childhood for Theresia and her many siblings was hardly a carefree, easy one. Their father was a farmer, so the Brandl children spent countless hours helping with chores. On a typical day, they would walk twenty minutes each way to and from school, then help with chores until it was time for homework and bed. Amidst all the hard work, however, Theresia still found time to learn to ride a bike at age five, another of her fondest childhood memories.
While there were no School Sisters of Notre Dame at the grammar school Theresia attended, her father's sister was not only a School Sister of Notre Dame, but also the superior at the convent in Erbendorf, Germany. Theresia's aunt encouraged her energetic young niece's vocation, and Theresia entered the congregation in September, 1925. She entered the novitiate in March, 1937 and took the religious name Sister Mary Benigna.
Sister Benigna had entered the SSND congregation at a very difficult time. Hitler was coming to power, and his focus on healthy bodies as opposed to healthy souls forced religious education out of all German schools. Sisters at that time were urged to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Recently elected SSND Superior General Mother M. Almeda Schricker urged Sisters not to join Hitler's National Socialist Teachers Association, but rather to join the Association of German Catholic Teachers and the Center for Schools of Religious Orders.
Mother Almeda soon received permission to send German sisters to provinces in America, and Sister Benigna was enthusiastic about the prospect. "Abraham left his home country and worked and lived where God led him," she later said. "So did I." S. Benigna's mother shared her daughter's excitement, but her father was not as pleased. "Why does she have to run to America?" her father asked. "We have so many missions here." Her father wrote to his SSND sister, asking her for advice about giving his daughter permission to go to America. She responded to her brother quite simply: "Let her go!"
Sister Benigna and the 14 other sisters who were to travel to America were professed in Munich on April 1, 1938. Thus, this year was Sister Benigna's 70th Jubilee. Early in the morning of April 20, 1938 the sisters left for America, believing they would never see Germany again.
Sister Benigna thought her ministry would be to teach sewing to girls in Milwaukee, as teaching sewing to young girls had been her ministry in Munich. Instead Sister Benigna remained in Baltimore where she began to sew for her fellow sisters. Naturally, the transition to life in America was a difficult one for Sister Benigna. She recalled later that the greatest sacrifice of that time was that no mail was sent to or from Germany between 1939 and 1945. She could only pray that her family was safe. Sadly, two of her brothers, Max and Joseph, were killed in the war.
Sister Benigna busied herself with her new ministry in America during those difficult years, working diligently in the sewing room at the former Motherhouse on Aisquith Street in Baltimore under the direction of Sister Otto. Sister Benigna recalled that she did all the cutting and pressing, because Sister Otto was "at least 75." Sisters Otto, Benigna, and others kept themselves extremely busy, sewing roughly 500 veils each year, as well as countless neckerchiefs, caps, and forehead bands, not to mention habits.
In 1955 and 1956, the Motherhouse moved from Aisquith Street to Charles Street, home of present-day Villa Assumpta. It was there that Sister Benigna was given responsibility as sacristan for the resident chaplain and his quarters. Many a sister's reception or vow ceremony was made even more special by the care Sister Benigna took decorating the chapel for the occasion. The following year, in 1957, Sister Benigna returned home to Germany for the first time in 19 years. She spent four weeks at home and recalled crying each time she saw another family member.
In 1963, the year of Sister Benigna's silver jubilee, the habit was changed to a modified form. She later said, "I finished my habit at twelve o'clock at night, because I had to do all the others first." In this way, Sister Benigna was always extremely loyal to her companion sisters, and she remained loyal to them and her sewing ministry for many more years. She had an amazing talent, and she never tired of sharing that talent with others. From 1967 to 1970, she even shared her gift with the inmates at the women's prison in Jessup, Maryland, where she taught the "lady prisoners" the art of sewing.
Even after formally retiring from her ministry, Sister Benigna continued to sew and to live her life to the fullest. She mended items for sisters in Maria Health Care Center, and she helped with various other projects as long as she was able. She also never tired of returning to a favorite childhood pastime by riding a stationary bike at least three miles each day. Sisters and staff who arrived at Villa Assumpta early in the morning will recall seeing Sister Benigna on the stationary bike every morning in full habit — no doubt, a habit she sewed for herself. In addition to her sewing, Sister Benigna knit layettes for sale in the Villa Assumpta gift shop and rooted for her favorite baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles.
As we mourn the loss of our friend Sister Benigna, may we also remember and pray for the dear friends and family grieving her loss around the world.
(School Sisters of Notre Dame, Atlantic-Midwest Province)
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord!
(née Theresia Brandl)
First Profession April 1, 1938
Motherhouse
Munich, Germany
Beloved sister of 2 SSND sisters in Europe.
Theresia Brandl was the seventh of 16 children born to Joseph and Sabina Brandl of Oberpfalz, Germany. Three of those children eventually became School Sisters of Notre Dame, though Theresia was the only one to leave Germany.
One of young Theresia's fondest memories of her childhood in Germany was the day of her first Communion. "It was very special," she once said. She wore a white dress with a wreath of flowers in her hair to the elaborate ceremony, and she carried a large candle with streamers hanging from it. Though she was only ten years old, the memory always remained one of her most cherished.
But childhood for Theresia and her many siblings was hardly a carefree, easy one. Their father was a farmer, so the Brandl children spent countless hours helping with chores. On a typical day, they would walk twenty minutes each way to and from school, then help with chores until it was time for homework and bed. Amidst all the hard work, however, Theresia still found time to learn to ride a bike at age five, another of her fondest childhood memories.
While there were no School Sisters of Notre Dame at the grammar school Theresia attended, her father's sister was not only a School Sister of Notre Dame, but also the superior at the convent in Erbendorf, Germany. Theresia's aunt encouraged her energetic young niece's vocation, and Theresia entered the congregation in September, 1925. She entered the novitiate in March, 1937 and took the religious name Sister Mary Benigna.
Sister Benigna had entered the SSND congregation at a very difficult time. Hitler was coming to power, and his focus on healthy bodies as opposed to healthy souls forced religious education out of all German schools. Sisters at that time were urged to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Recently elected SSND Superior General Mother M. Almeda Schricker urged Sisters not to join Hitler's National Socialist Teachers Association, but rather to join the Association of German Catholic Teachers and the Center for Schools of Religious Orders.
Mother Almeda soon received permission to send German sisters to provinces in America, and Sister Benigna was enthusiastic about the prospect. "Abraham left his home country and worked and lived where God led him," she later said. "So did I." S. Benigna's mother shared her daughter's excitement, but her father was not as pleased. "Why does she have to run to America?" her father asked. "We have so many missions here." Her father wrote to his SSND sister, asking her for advice about giving his daughter permission to go to America. She responded to her brother quite simply: "Let her go!"
Sister Benigna and the 14 other sisters who were to travel to America were professed in Munich on April 1, 1938. Thus, this year was Sister Benigna's 70th Jubilee. Early in the morning of April 20, 1938 the sisters left for America, believing they would never see Germany again.
Sister Benigna thought her ministry would be to teach sewing to girls in Milwaukee, as teaching sewing to young girls had been her ministry in Munich. Instead Sister Benigna remained in Baltimore where she began to sew for her fellow sisters. Naturally, the transition to life in America was a difficult one for Sister Benigna. She recalled later that the greatest sacrifice of that time was that no mail was sent to or from Germany between 1939 and 1945. She could only pray that her family was safe. Sadly, two of her brothers, Max and Joseph, were killed in the war.
Sister Benigna busied herself with her new ministry in America during those difficult years, working diligently in the sewing room at the former Motherhouse on Aisquith Street in Baltimore under the direction of Sister Otto. Sister Benigna recalled that she did all the cutting and pressing, because Sister Otto was "at least 75." Sisters Otto, Benigna, and others kept themselves extremely busy, sewing roughly 500 veils each year, as well as countless neckerchiefs, caps, and forehead bands, not to mention habits.
In 1955 and 1956, the Motherhouse moved from Aisquith Street to Charles Street, home of present-day Villa Assumpta. It was there that Sister Benigna was given responsibility as sacristan for the resident chaplain and his quarters. Many a sister's reception or vow ceremony was made even more special by the care Sister Benigna took decorating the chapel for the occasion. The following year, in 1957, Sister Benigna returned home to Germany for the first time in 19 years. She spent four weeks at home and recalled crying each time she saw another family member.
In 1963, the year of Sister Benigna's silver jubilee, the habit was changed to a modified form. She later said, "I finished my habit at twelve o'clock at night, because I had to do all the others first." In this way, Sister Benigna was always extremely loyal to her companion sisters, and she remained loyal to them and her sewing ministry for many more years. She had an amazing talent, and she never tired of sharing that talent with others. From 1967 to 1970, she even shared her gift with the inmates at the women's prison in Jessup, Maryland, where she taught the "lady prisoners" the art of sewing.
Even after formally retiring from her ministry, Sister Benigna continued to sew and to live her life to the fullest. She mended items for sisters in Maria Health Care Center, and she helped with various other projects as long as she was able. She also never tired of returning to a favorite childhood pastime by riding a stationary bike at least three miles each day. Sisters and staff who arrived at Villa Assumpta early in the morning will recall seeing Sister Benigna on the stationary bike every morning in full habit — no doubt, a habit she sewed for herself. In addition to her sewing, Sister Benigna knit layettes for sale in the Villa Assumpta gift shop and rooted for her favorite baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles.
As we mourn the loss of our friend Sister Benigna, may we also remember and pray for the dear friends and family grieving her loss around the world.
(School Sisters of Notre Dame, Atlantic-Midwest Province)
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord!
Sister Mary Benigna Brandl, SSND
(née Theresia Brandl)
First Profession April 1, 1938
Motherhouse
Munich, Germany
Beloved sister of 2 SSND sisters in Europe.
Theresia Brandl was the seventh of 16 children born to Joseph and Sabina Brandl of Oberpfalz, Germany. Three of those children eventually became School Sisters of Notre Dame, though Theresia was the only one to leave Germany.
One of young Theresia's fondest memories of her childhood in Germany was the day of her first Communion. "It was very special," she once said. She wore a white dress with a wreath of flowers in her hair to the elaborate ceremony, and she carried a large candle with streamers hanging from it. Though she was only ten years old, the memory always remained one of her most cherished.
But childhood for Theresia and her many siblings was hardly a carefree, easy one. Their father was a farmer, so the Brandl children spent countless hours helping with chores. On a typical day, they would walk twenty minutes each way to and from school, then help with chores until it was time for homework and bed. Amidst all the hard work, however, Theresia still found time to learn to ride a bike at age five, another of her fondest childhood memories.
While there were no School Sisters of Notre Dame at the grammar school Theresia attended, her father's sister was not only a School Sister of Notre Dame, but also the superior at the convent in Erbendorf, Germany. Theresia's aunt encouraged her energetic young niece's vocation, and Theresia entered the congregation in September, 1925. She entered the novitiate in March, 1937 and took the religious name Sister Mary Benigna.
Sister Benigna had entered the SSND congregation at a very difficult time. Hitler was coming to power, and his focus on healthy bodies as opposed to healthy souls forced religious education out of all German schools. Sisters at that time were urged to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Recently elected SSND Superior General Mother M. Almeda Schricker urged Sisters not to join Hitler's National Socialist Teachers Association, but rather to join the Association of German Catholic Teachers and the Center for Schools of Religious Orders.
Mother Almeda soon received permission to send German sisters to provinces in America, and Sister Benigna was enthusiastic about the prospect. "Abraham left his home country and worked and lived where God led him," she later said. "So did I." S. Benigna's mother shared her daughter's excitement, but her father was not as pleased. "Why does she have to run to America?" her father asked. "We have so many missions here." Her father wrote to his SSND sister, asking her for advice about giving his daughter permission to go to America. She responded to her brother quite simply: "Let her go!"
Sister Benigna and the 14 other sisters who were to travel to America were professed in Munich on April 1, 1938. Thus, this year was Sister Benigna's 70th Jubilee. Early in the morning of April 20, 1938 the sisters left for America, believing they would never see Germany again.
Sister Benigna thought her ministry would be to teach sewing to girls in Milwaukee, as teaching sewing to young girls had been her ministry in Munich. Instead Sister Benigna remained in Baltimore where she began to sew for her fellow sisters. Naturally, the transition to life in America was a difficult one for Sister Benigna. She recalled later that the greatest sacrifice of that time was that no mail was sent to or from Germany between 1939 and 1945. She could only pray that her family was safe. Sadly, two of her brothers, Max and Joseph, were killed in the war.
Sister Benigna busied herself with her new ministry in America during those difficult years, working diligently in the sewing room at the former Motherhouse on Aisquith Street in Baltimore under the direction of Sister Otto. Sister Benigna recalled that she did all the cutting and pressing, because Sister Otto was "at least 75." Sisters Otto, Benigna, and others kept themselves extremely busy, sewing roughly 500 veils each year, as well as countless neckerchiefs, caps, and forehead bands, not to mention habits.
In 1955 and 1956, the Motherhouse moved from Aisquith Street to Charles Street, home of present-day Villa Assumpta. It was there that Sister Benigna was given responsibility as sacristan for the resident chaplain and his quarters. Many a sister's reception or vow ceremony was made even more special by the care Sister Benigna took decorating the chapel for the occasion. The following year, in 1957, Sister Benigna returned home to Germany for the first time in 19 years. She spent four weeks at home and recalled crying each time she saw another family member.
In 1963, the year of Sister Benigna's silver jubilee, the habit was changed to a modified form. She later said, "I finished my habit at twelve o'clock at night, because I had to do all the others first." In this way, Sister Benigna was always extremely loyal to her companion sisters, and she remained loyal to them and her sewing ministry for many more years. She had an amazing talent, and she never tired of sharing that talent with others. From 1967 to 1970, she even shared her gift with the inmates at the women's prison in Jessup, Maryland, where she taught the "lady prisoners" the art of sewing.
Even after formally retiring from her ministry, Sister Benigna continued to sew and to live her life to the fullest. She mended items for sisters in Maria Health Care Center, and she helped with various other projects as long as she was able. She also never tired of returning to a favorite childhood pastime by riding a stationary bike at least three miles each day. Sisters and staff who arrived at Villa Assumpta early in the morning will recall seeing Sister Benigna on the stationary bike every morning in full habit — no doubt, a habit she sewed for herself. In addition to her sewing, Sister Benigna knit layettes for sale in the Villa Assumpta gift shop and rooted for her favorite baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles.
As we mourn the loss of our friend Sister Benigna, may we also remember and pray for the dear friends and family grieving her loss around the world.
(School Sisters of Notre Dame, Atlantic-Midwest Province)
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord!
(née Theresia Brandl)
First Profession April 1, 1938
Motherhouse
Munich, Germany
Beloved sister of 2 SSND sisters in Europe.
Theresia Brandl was the seventh of 16 children born to Joseph and Sabina Brandl of Oberpfalz, Germany. Three of those children eventually became School Sisters of Notre Dame, though Theresia was the only one to leave Germany.
One of young Theresia's fondest memories of her childhood in Germany was the day of her first Communion. "It was very special," she once said. She wore a white dress with a wreath of flowers in her hair to the elaborate ceremony, and she carried a large candle with streamers hanging from it. Though she was only ten years old, the memory always remained one of her most cherished.
But childhood for Theresia and her many siblings was hardly a carefree, easy one. Their father was a farmer, so the Brandl children spent countless hours helping with chores. On a typical day, they would walk twenty minutes each way to and from school, then help with chores until it was time for homework and bed. Amidst all the hard work, however, Theresia still found time to learn to ride a bike at age five, another of her fondest childhood memories.
While there were no School Sisters of Notre Dame at the grammar school Theresia attended, her father's sister was not only a School Sister of Notre Dame, but also the superior at the convent in Erbendorf, Germany. Theresia's aunt encouraged her energetic young niece's vocation, and Theresia entered the congregation in September, 1925. She entered the novitiate in March, 1937 and took the religious name Sister Mary Benigna.
Sister Benigna had entered the SSND congregation at a very difficult time. Hitler was coming to power, and his focus on healthy bodies as opposed to healthy souls forced religious education out of all German schools. Sisters at that time were urged to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Recently elected SSND Superior General Mother M. Almeda Schricker urged Sisters not to join Hitler's National Socialist Teachers Association, but rather to join the Association of German Catholic Teachers and the Center for Schools of Religious Orders.
Mother Almeda soon received permission to send German sisters to provinces in America, and Sister Benigna was enthusiastic about the prospect. "Abraham left his home country and worked and lived where God led him," she later said. "So did I." S. Benigna's mother shared her daughter's excitement, but her father was not as pleased. "Why does she have to run to America?" her father asked. "We have so many missions here." Her father wrote to his SSND sister, asking her for advice about giving his daughter permission to go to America. She responded to her brother quite simply: "Let her go!"
Sister Benigna and the 14 other sisters who were to travel to America were professed in Munich on April 1, 1938. Thus, this year was Sister Benigna's 70th Jubilee. Early in the morning of April 20, 1938 the sisters left for America, believing they would never see Germany again.
Sister Benigna thought her ministry would be to teach sewing to girls in Milwaukee, as teaching sewing to young girls had been her ministry in Munich. Instead Sister Benigna remained in Baltimore where she began to sew for her fellow sisters. Naturally, the transition to life in America was a difficult one for Sister Benigna. She recalled later that the greatest sacrifice of that time was that no mail was sent to or from Germany between 1939 and 1945. She could only pray that her family was safe. Sadly, two of her brothers, Max and Joseph, were killed in the war.
Sister Benigna busied herself with her new ministry in America during those difficult years, working diligently in the sewing room at the former Motherhouse on Aisquith Street in Baltimore under the direction of Sister Otto. Sister Benigna recalled that she did all the cutting and pressing, because Sister Otto was "at least 75." Sisters Otto, Benigna, and others kept themselves extremely busy, sewing roughly 500 veils each year, as well as countless neckerchiefs, caps, and forehead bands, not to mention habits.
In 1955 and 1956, the Motherhouse moved from Aisquith Street to Charles Street, home of present-day Villa Assumpta. It was there that Sister Benigna was given responsibility as sacristan for the resident chaplain and his quarters. Many a sister's reception or vow ceremony was made even more special by the care Sister Benigna took decorating the chapel for the occasion. The following year, in 1957, Sister Benigna returned home to Germany for the first time in 19 years. She spent four weeks at home and recalled crying each time she saw another family member.
In 1963, the year of Sister Benigna's silver jubilee, the habit was changed to a modified form. She later said, "I finished my habit at twelve o'clock at night, because I had to do all the others first." In this way, Sister Benigna was always extremely loyal to her companion sisters, and she remained loyal to them and her sewing ministry for many more years. She had an amazing talent, and she never tired of sharing that talent with others. From 1967 to 1970, she even shared her gift with the inmates at the women's prison in Jessup, Maryland, where she taught the "lady prisoners" the art of sewing.
Even after formally retiring from her ministry, Sister Benigna continued to sew and to live her life to the fullest. She mended items for sisters in Maria Health Care Center, and she helped with various other projects as long as she was able. She also never tired of returning to a favorite childhood pastime by riding a stationary bike at least three miles each day. Sisters and staff who arrived at Villa Assumpta early in the morning will recall seeing Sister Benigna on the stationary bike every morning in full habit — no doubt, a habit she sewed for herself. In addition to her sewing, Sister Benigna knit layettes for sale in the Villa Assumpta gift shop and rooted for her favorite baseball team, the Baltimore Orioles.
As we mourn the loss of our friend Sister Benigna, may we also remember and pray for the dear friends and family grieving her loss around the world.
(School Sisters of Notre Dame, Atlantic-Midwest Province)
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord!
