Mother Frances Streitel, Foundress of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother: Before we look more deeply into Mother Frances following her call to religious life, I would like to reflect more deeply upon the elements in her family life that, I believe, prepared her to be open to the Lord’s will for her. Her mother was a very conscientious Christian who lived her faith, not only by participation in the Eucharistic liturgy and the other sacraments, but she also passed her faith on to her children by teaching them to pray and to cherish the Scriptures that were read and preached at each liturgy. Is it possible, also that the Bible was more than a shelved book in the Streitel family? I wonder that based on the fact that Amalia as a little child attempted to understand what the Scriptures meant when it said that Jesus would draw all things to Himself when He was lifted high upon the cross. She must have learned the art of reflection upon the things of the Spirit from her parents. Amalia’s mother also taught her children to be concerned that the poor had food to put on their tables—Amalia would go with her mother when she brought food to the poor. Love of nature--its beauty, its solitude--was also a value instilled in the Streitel children. What familial elements have led you to the Lord and/or deepened your faith?
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