Maria Bernarda Bütler
Maria Bernarda Bütler was a Swiss religious sister and missionary who founded the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Sinners. She is remembered for her tireless work caring for the poor in Ecuador and Colombia and for her eventual canonization as a saint.
- Century
- 20th century
- Country Or Region
- Colombia
Key Facts
- ›Born Verena Bütler in Switzerland on may 28, 1848, she was the fourth of eight children.
- ›She founded the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Sinners in Ecuador in 1888.
- ›Forced into exile from Ecuador due to anti-religious sentiment in 1895, she and her order moved to Colombia.
- ›She worked for the remainder of her life in Colombia, where her congregation continued to expand.
- ›Maria Bernarda Bütler was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 29, 1995.
- ›She was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 12, 2008.
Verena Bütler, María Bernarda of the Heart of Mary
Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Sinners, Franciscan Capuchin Nuns
About Maria Bernarda Bütler
Maria Bernarda Bütler, born Verena Bütler on May 28, 1848, was a Swiss Catholic religious sister who became a significant figure in missionary work in South America. She is recognized for founding the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Sinners and for her lifelong dedication to the care of the poor in Ecuador and Colombia.
Life and Ministry
Born into a farming family in Switzerland, Verena Bütler experienced a profound religious calling that led her to break off an engagement and pursue religious life. After a brief period with the Sisters of the Holy Cross, she joined the Franciscan Capuchin nuns at the convent of Mary Help of Sinners in Altstätten on November 12, 1867. She adopted the religious name María Bernarda of the Heart of Mary. Her service within her order included roles as novice mistress and superior.
In 1888, Bütler, along with six other sisters, left for the missions in Ecuador at the invitation of Bishop Pedro Schumacher. There, she established the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Sinners. Her work in Ecuador was interrupted in 1895 when anti-religious sentiment led to her and her companions being exiled. They found refuge in Colombia, where Bishop Eugenio Biffi invited them to work in Cartagena. Bütler continued her ministry in Colombia for the remainder of her life, with her congregation expanding significantly during her time there.
Canonization
The process for Bütler's canonization began with an informative process in Cartagena in 1949. She was declared Venerable by Pope John Paul II on December 21, 1991, recognizing her heroic virtue. Pope John Paul II beatified her on October 29, 1995, in Saint Peter's Basilica. The miracle attributed to her intercession for beatification involved the healing of an infant with cranial bone defects. Her canonization followed when Pope Benedict XVI declared her a saint on October 12, 2008, in Saint Peter's Square, following the investigation and approval of a second miracle concerning the cure of severe respiratory complications.
Legacy
Maria Bernarda Bütler died on May 19, 1924. Her legacy endures through the continued work of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Sinners, which by 2005 comprised 788 religious in 125 houses. She is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church for her missionary zeal and her compassionate service to the poor.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Maria Bernarda Bütler born and when did she die?
Maria Bernarda Bütler was born Verena Bütler on May 28, 1848, and died on May 19, 1924.
What religious order did Maria Bernarda Bütler found?
She founded the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Sinners.
Where did Maria Bernarda Bütler conduct her missionary work?
She served in the missions in Ecuador and later in Colombia, dedicating her life to the care of the poor in these regions.
When was Maria Bernarda Bütler canonized?
Maria Bernarda Bütler was canonized as a saint by Pope Benedict XVI on October 12, 2008.
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