THE RECIPIENT OF THE LETTERS

Sr. Maria Johanna Ankenbrand

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Sr. Maria Johanna Ankenbrand, born Elisabeth, was born on November 10, 1885, in Mechenried, Unterfranken, Germany. After her studies, she was sent by her mother to the 'Julianum' boarding school with Reverend Schlör, who later became Bishop of Würzburg. Already as a child, Elisabeth nurtured a vocation to religious life but did not know how to fulfil this great desire. When she heard that Mother Frances Streitel had gone to Rome in February 1883, to work with Fr Jordan in organizing the women's branch of the Catholic Teaching Society, she realized that she was called to that Congregation.
In October 1883, she joined Mother Frances in Rome. After a few months, she was invested with a religious habit and became a member of the new Congregation and received the name M. Johanna. In June 1885, Fr. Jordan and Mother Frances attempted to establish a hospital in Scheβlitz, Bamberg. Sr. Johanna and Sr. Scholastica Demer remained there to await state permission. In October 1885, the community of Mother Frances, under the new name Sisters of Sorrowful Mother, was separated from the Catholic Teaching Society founded by Fr Jordan. Meanwhile, the Bavarian Government did not allow a hospital to be opened in Scheβlitz. Sr. Johanna returned to Rome with her companion and Mother Frances integrated them into the community. In 1889, Sr. Joanna was transferred to America after the opening of the first mission.  Mother Frances continued to establish more houses in America. In 1891, Sr. M. Johanna was appointed administrator for the houses in the United States of America and in 1893, vicar. After Mother Frances' removal in 1896, she accepted the office of Superior General, which she held for 32 years. Her main commitment was to maintain the original spirit of the foundress. She herself encouraged the sisters to imitate faithfully the example of Mother Frances. After her term as Superior General ended, she lived in the Motherhouse in Rome, until her death in 1955, at the age of 97. She is buried in the Teutonic Cemetery, near St. Peter's.