Amalia Frances Rose Streitel aka Mother Frances Streitel, Foundress of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother—Entrance into religious life, spring of 1866: Mr. and Mrs. Streitel wanted their daughter to enter the Notre Dames, a teaching order (Walk in Love, p. 18). They did not want her to enter a religious community that lived a strict ascetical/penitential lifestyle. Neither did they want her to serve the sick—nursing in those days basically meant home nursing. In Amalia’s time the teaching profession was highly revered while nursing profession was considered less dignified (See Walk in Love, pp. 17). Remember that Amalia’s parents were of the upper class. Appearances were important to them, it seems; otherwise why would they not have been as happy if their daughter had chosen the nursing profession. With the hope of being able to serve the sick, Amalia chose the Maria Stern Franciscans, as both professions were a possibility for their Sisters. Neither did her parents object to this choice. That Amalia’s parents attempted to control their 21-year-old daughter is upsetting to me but understandable. If I delve deeply into my psyche, I realize that I, too, can be controlling at times though I try hard not to be. I suspect that letting go and letting one’s children make their own choices is even more difficult for parents and a source of intense conflict for adolescents preparing for college and adult careers. What is your experience and what do you learn from Amalia?
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