Mother Frances Streitel: Saved in the wounds of Christ

Amalia Frances Rose Streitel aka Mother Frances Streitel, Foundress of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, and, as a Maria Stern Franciscan, known as Sister Angela.  Sister Angela is assigned to the Marian Institute in April of 1880, “when conditions there were sorely in need of betterment” (Walk in Love, p. 27).  Sister Angela assumed the administrative position, knowing that the condition of the Marian Institute had serious economic problems as well as other challenges that needed the attention of a skilled administrator.   She went to the Marian Institute under obedience but knew in her heart, already then, that God had other plans in store for her. She says “yes” to her Superior General, but adds “I shall not work there long, for God is calling me elsewhere” (Walk in Love,  p. 27).

No reformer is met with open arms and exuberant cheers.  Sister Angela, in reforming the “financial, domestic, and even religious conditions” at the Marian institute, met significant opposition.  Some Sisters believed that she abused her authority and went too far in what she asked of the Sisters, especially in the observance of the vow of poverty. Complaints against her reached the ears of her Superior General. Sisters at the motherhouse regarded her with disdain. The results of her actions, even though she had permission to make changes, were disastrous, as some of the Sisters even  left the order as a result of Sister Angela’s reforms.   

Ever address issues that you were convinced needed to be talked about and changes made with the end result being anything you ever imagined! Suddenly the tables are turned on you, your intentions misinterpreted, your actions judged harshly!  That is the position in which Sister Angela found herself. She says “If the help of grace had not been so plentiful at that time, mind and body would have suffered ruin.  The salvific power of the wounds of the Lord saved me” (Walk in Love, p. 29).