Thus Sister Francesca came to Olpe as superior. She was lovingly devoted to Sister Maria Theresia. Concerning her report of conditions in Olpe – as Mother Maria Theresia later wrote – from Salzkotten, “there were no loving considerations for Olpe consequently the dispositions of all Sisters became embittered.” Before long Sister Maria Theresia and Sister Francesca petitioned the bishop for a dispensation from the present congregation in order to enter a Franciscan congregation.
The bishop in the meantime had determined otherwise. Two letters followed in rapid succession. The first was in answer to a petition submitted by the leading townsmen in Olpe for the re-establishment of the Perpetual Adoration. The bishop granted the petition in a letter dated July 17, 1863. The second letter, dated July 20, 1863, was addressed to Superior Revered Schmidt in Wenden and directed that he should, “to prevent further agitation and dissensions between the institution in Olpe and the motherhouse in Salzkotten, withdraw the first completely from the jurisdiction of the latter and from the temporary official direction of Mother Clara.”
The bishop continued:
As you informed me the institution in Olpe needs several Sisters more. After a consultation with Sisters Maria Theresia and Francesca, inform me as soon as possible how many and what Sisters should be sent from Salzkotten to Olpe. At the same time consider authoritatively whether Sister Maria Theresia or Sister Francesca should function as local superior in Olpe; if the first, whether Sister Francesca should be appointed as assistant or whether she should return to Much as local superior.
The superior answered by letter on July 30, 1863:
Unfortunately, I was unable until yesterday to discuss the alleged highly honorable disposition of the questionable situation in Olpe with Sister Maria Theresia and Sister Francesca and to make the provisional arrangements. After due deliberation and after the Sisters had made a novena to the Holy Spirit for enlightenment, at my suggestion, permit me to submit the following to Your Excellency for your pastoral approval and decision:
1. With reverence to the new superior in Olpe, I observed relatively little difference in spirituality between Sister Maria Theresia and Sister Francesca; both are well qualified for the office of superior. But in behalf of the material interests of the institution, I decide in favor of Sister Maria Theresia. Since she is no longer superior, the alms of the town have lessened considerably, as well as the food supplies, according to the Sister cook. The world, especially that of the aristocrats, voice their opinions in such fashion, certainly very imperfect in motive, and one cannot but take it into account. Sister Maria Theresia’s family is not only the wealthiest in Olpe, but also under all circumstances, the most influential. Sister Maria Theresia will use her influence to improve the orphanage and consolidate the institution, if she wields the superiorship among her spiritually inclined and respected relatives. How fearful Sister Maria Theresia is of this dignity! Yesterday she pleaded very earnestly amid tears and on her knees that she be spared that responsibility giving as reasons her poor health and confessing her spiritual disqualification; she pleaded urgently that Sister Francesca continue in office. The latter also begged to be relieved of the superiorship. Nevertheless for reasons mentioned above, I beg most fervently that Sister Maria Theresia be installed as the superior. She suffers from spasms at times (at present she appears in perfect health).
Sister Francesca works with her in exceptional harmony and love and shows outstanding ability in teaching. She could be spared from Much at least until winter and ought to remain in Olpe as assistant. In addition she could be novice mistress and instructor. Because of her ascetical formation and her loving prudence, she is especially qualified to teach. Almost daily instruction in catechism is very necessary not only for the novices but also for the professed Sisters for in the previous years these instructions were almost entirely neglected.
2. The letter Your Excellency wrote, dated July 17, granting the re-establishment of Perpetual Adoration in the convent chapel was a source of great joy to the Sisters and to the people of Olpe. It created the necessity of a greater number of Sisters. Even without it, more Sisters would have been required. In consulting with Sister Maria Theresia and Sister Francesca, I concluded that ten Sisters would be sufficient for the time being. Since two of the seven sisters assigned originally to Olpe did not make the necessary adjustment they would need to be transferred. Consequently five new Sisters were required in Olpe.
Further recommendations of the superior as to transfers of Sisters could certainly not be considered from every point of view by the bishop. The results of the many deliberations were announced by the bishop in his letter of August 3, 1863, wherein is written as follows:
In conformity with your proposal of July 30, 1863, I shall hereby appoint Sister Maria Theresia as local superior of the Franciscan congregation in Olpe, and designate Sister Francesca as her assistant, with the expectation that both will administer their offices for the glory of God and the good of the congregation.
The letter closed with the following:
The following Sisters are assigned to the convent in Olpe: Theresia (as superior), Francesca, Juliana, Johanna, Margaretha, Ignatia, Gertrudis, Dominica, Ursula, and Stanisla. On the other hand to the convent at Much, which naturally must remain under the jurisdiction of the motherhouse, are assigned the three Sisters: Thecla (as superior), Armella, and Laurentia.
Hereby the separation was finalized. Sister Maria Theresia was compelled to accept the superiorship of the independent congregation in Olpe and to chart its future course. She herself did not want the office. Together with Sister Francesca she had pleaded with the bishop to enter another well established Franciscan congregation. The petition was refused. When the two Sisters realized that an independent congregation was to be formed in Olpe, they begged the bishop that an older and experienced religious be given them as superior to lead them in the correct way instead of experimenting at what they would need to do. This request was also refused.
The feast of St. Bonaventure, July 14, 1863, impressed itself indelibly on the mind of Mother Maria Theresia as the day on which the Sisters learned that Olpe was left to its own resources. She wrote: “The Sisters were really abashed that they had to rely on their own resources,” for all of them had but very little experience in the religious life. In comparison with today’s program for young Sisters, they would just have completed the novitiate. Their congregation had been in existence only that length of time and even that period was a very disturbed one. Therefore they hesitated to undertake the responsibility. Above all Mother Maria Theresia, whose spirit impressed itself so lastingly on the congregation, had to be vaulted by God into her position. But even at that time, as demonstrated later so often in her life, when she recognized the Will of God, she gave herself quietly and with a firm purpose to the task. It is a testimony to her character as she writes of the young congregation: “With trust in God and under the Rule of St. Francis, the Sisters were confident that they could expect the blessing of God.”
Chapter V
Compelled into Her Characteristic Way of Life
The separation occurred. Neither of the two religious founders had wished nor perpetrated it. God had manifestly employed the talents of both co-founders in order to accomplish more for the church and the whole of mankind. If there had been but one congregation, its activity could not have spread so extensively as with the two of them. One must recognize that the determining factors leading to the separation were not planned by Salzkotten nor by Olpe. Much less were they managed nor brought to completion by them. Those spiritually responsible for the Sisters, especially their spiritual director and the bishop, were the only ones involved during the period of decision. The final decision was contrary to the wishes of Mother Clara Pfaender as superior and Sister Maria Theresia Bonzel as subject. Both had their ideas as to how the crisis could be solved. However, both submitted to the decision