THE RECIPIENT OF THE LETTER

Msgr. Anton Ludwig von Essen

​

Anton Ludwig von Essen was born on November 3, 1830, in Krefeld, Germany. He studied in Munster. In Bonn, he obtained a doctorate in Sacred Scripture, and studied Old Testament in Tübingen. In 1854, he was ordained a priest in Köln. Before becoming the parish priest in Neuwerk, near Mönchenglaadbach, in 1872, he was rector and assistant in different places. Anton Ludwig was an exemplary priest and caring pastor, especially attentive to the poor of his parish. He was the spiritual director of Baroness Therese von Wüllenweber (Blessed Mary of the Apostles), co-founder of the Salvatorian Sisters together with Fr. Jordan. 

​

He came into contact with Mother Frances and the first sisters in 1884 through Fr. Jordan, who had been working in the Neuwerk parish since 1882. He did not join the Catholic Teaching Society founded by Fr Jordan. He was loved and appreciated by his parishioners. He died unexpectedly at the age of 55, on January 6, 1886.