Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Mother Frances Streitel: The seeds of her spirituality planted in childhood

Amalia Frances Rose Streitel aka Mother Frances Streitel, Foundress of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother—Amalia was an intelligent, precocious child. We love those kind of children in our classrooms! Amalia didn’t just develop her intellect, however.  More importantly, she developed a sense of gratitude, an appreciation for others, as we learn in the following episode. At the age of 11, she wrote to her father: “For a long time, I have awaited this day with happiest sentiments! With ardent devotion I shall ask our dear Father in heaven today to keep you in good health, contented and happy. My whole endeavor shall be to learn as much and to conduct myself as well as I can, so that you may be well satisfied with me.”  (Walk in Love, p. 6). Imagine a child, at age 11, making the resolve to learn to be contented, to be happy, and to make choices that enhances healthiness and improves behavior. What did you as a child do to show appreciation for others, to deepen your contentment, your happiness, your health and improve your behaviors?  What did you do in your 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, etc.,  to achieve these goals? What are you doing now? What will you do this week along these lines?

No comments:

Post a Comment