Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger

The Basics: Born in 1797 in Germany; died May 9, 1879, in Germany; beatified November 17, 1985, by John Paul II; feast day, May 9. Woman religious, teacher. The Story: You might call Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger the Mother Cabrini of German immigrants to the United States. (Or perhaps, Mother Cabrini was the Theresa of Jesus of… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger

Wednesday’s Woman: St. Tarbula

The Basics: Birth date and place unknown; died 345 in what is now Iran; canonized pre-congregation; feast day, April 22. Martyr. The Story: Tarbula’s brother, the bishop Symeon, already had been executed by King Shapur II. Symeon’s martyrdom had been particularly cruel; on the day he was beheaded, he was the last of one hundred Christians to… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: St. Tarbula

Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Marie Anne Blondin

The Basics: Born April 18, 1809, in Terrebone, Canada; died January 2, 1890, in Lachine, Canada; beatified April 29, 2001, by Pope John Paul II; feast day, April 18. Educator, woman religious. The Story: Born Esther Blondin, this blessed was born the third of twelve children in Quebec. She was illiterate when she went to work as… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Marie Anne Blondin

Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Ursulina of Parma

The Basics: Born May 14, 1375, in Parma, Italy; died in 1408 in Verona, Italy; beatified February 11, 1786, by Pope Pius VI; feast day, April 7. Mystic. The Story: Ursulina’s story has some of the same elements as Catherine of Siena’s, though Ursulina is much less remembered. Her mystical relationship with the Lord began very early,… Continue reading Wednesday’s Woman: Blessed Ursulina of Parma