Helena Stollenwerk
Helena Stollenwerk was a German Catholic religious sister and co-founder of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit. She collaborated with Arnold Janssen and Hendrina Stenmanns, dedicating her life to missionary work and the preparation of sisters for global missions. Pope John Paul II beatified her in 1995.
Key Facts
- ›Helena Stollenwerk was born on November 28, 1852, to Hans Peter Stollenwerk and Anna Bongard.
- ›She met Arnold Janssen in 1882 and supported his vision for a new congregation of women dedicated to missionary work.
- ›On December 8, 1889, Stollenwerk became a postulant of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit, taking the religious name Maria Virgo.
- ›She made her vows on March 12, 1894, and later became abbess on August 12, 1898.
- ›Stollenwerk was instrumental in preparing and sending the first missionaries in 1895 to Argentina and others to Togo in 1897.
- ›She died on February 3, 1900, with her final words recorded as 'Jesus: I die for you'.
- Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit
About Helena Stollenwerk
Helena Stollenwerk, born on November 28, 1852, was a German Catholic religious sister who became a key figure in the foundation of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit. Driven by a lifelong desire to serve on the missions, she collaborated with Arnold Janssen and Hendrina Stenmanns to establish this new religious congregation dedicated to spreading the Gospel worldwide.
Life and Historical Context
Born into a family with a history of loss, Helena Stollenwerk's early life was marked by her father's death and her mother's remarriage. From a young age, she felt a strong calling to missionary work, though finding an order that fulfilled her aspirations proved challenging. Her life took a significant turn in 1882 when she met Arnold Janssen, who recognized and supported her vision for a women's missionary congregation. She spent time serving in the kitchen of Janssen's mission house in Steyl, Netherlands, where she was later joined by Hendrina Stenmanns.
Contributions and Religious Life
On December 8, 1889, Helena Stollenwerk officially became a postulant in the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit, adopting the religious name Maria Virgo. She made her solemn vows on March 12, 1894. Stollenwerk's leadership and dedication were evident when she later became abbess on August 12, 1898. She played a crucial role in preparing and dispatching the first missionaries from her order, sending them to Argentina in 1895 and to Togo in 1897. At Janssen's request, she resigned as Superior General on December 8, 1898, having held the position since 1890.
Death and Veneration
In the autumn of 1899, Helena Stollenwerk was diagnosed with meningitis. She passed away on February 3, 1900, with her final words being "Jesus: I die for You." Her remains have been transferred on several occasions, with the most recent move occurring in September 1934. The process for her canonization commenced in 1950. Pope John Paul II officially declared her life of heroic virtue, naming her Venerable in 1991, and subsequently beatified her on May 7, 1995. Her writings received theological approval in 1983, marking significant steps in her veneration.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Helena Stollenwerk born and when did she die?
Helena Stollenwerk was born on November 28, 1852, and died on February 3, 1900. Her life spanned the latter half of the 19th century.
What religious order did Helena Stollenwerk co-found?
Helena Stollenwerk co-founded the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit. She was a postulant in this congregation from December 1889 and later assumed leadership roles within it.
What role did Helena Stollenwerk play in missionary work?
She was instrumental in preparing sisters for missions and sent the first missionaries of her order to Argentina in 1895 and to Togo in 1897. Her lifelong aspiration was to contribute to global missionary efforts.
Who beatified Helena Stollenwerk?
Pope John Paul II presided over the beatification celebration for Helena Stollenwerk in 1995. She had previously been named a Servant of God and Venerable by the same Pope.
What was Helena Stollenwerk's religious name?
Upon entering the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit, Helena Stollenwerk assumed the religious name Maria Virgo. She made her vows in this religious name.
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