Testimonies  about Mother Frances Streitel

...Mother Frances told us enthusiastically, “You can go to the Vatican Gardens and collect the ripe figs that have fallen on the ground.

I believed the olives were Muscat of Alexandria and used as a condiment in the risotto with milk; the Servant of God ate it quietly...

Once a sister received a pair of luxury gloves as a gift, without asking permission. The Servant of God, knowing this, burned them ...

Once when she saw that I was a little agitated and wanted to cry. She came to me affectionately and comforted me...

She always had an attitude of extreme and sincere humility. She considered herself as an ordinary Sister, indeed the last; she never spoke about herself.

With an act of impatience, I wanted to make the Servant of God understand that she was too demanding with me. She took the Crucifix and kissed it ...

We didn't have any food in the house. Mother Frances said that we had to trust God: "The Lord will provide something".

The candidate Anna Maria Boch corrected me about something wrong I'd done... I went to Mother Frances to complain about it...

Once Mother Frances said that the first object to take off in the evening was the silver clock and the last one to put on in the morning was also the clock ...

When the Sisters went to rest in the summer, Mother Frances stayed with the children, gave them food, took care of the cleaning...

She loved to call the dirtiest children to her, clean them up, take them on her lap, and make them happy by being a child with the children.

Our mothers often went to her for advice and training. She was our guide and comfort.

Two other novices and I, due to the scarcity of food, were left without food. The Servant of God came out of the room with her portion of rice ...

When I came to America with her on the ship, I hadn't yet received the religious dress. She said, "Watch out for sailors..."

On the days of investitures and professions, Mother Frances wore the white apron and served us at the table.

I believe that M. Frances is a true saint. When I am near her in the chapel, I feel something that I can't explain; her fervor is...

I remember that because of the children she was vilely insulted by ignorant women, but with heroic patience and charity she endured the insults.

She preferred old clothes for herself and said to us "that old clothes bring special graces". She never failed to...

She took great care of us novices, especially those who felt unwell, for one reason or another. Such kindness did me so much good ...

I was very lively, and she was very patient with me; she overlooked my unruliness and was very kind to me.

Her will was always in accordance with God's holy will: her ideal was fulfilled in the words: "Everything as the Good Lord wills".

Deposed as Superior, Mother Frances never criticized, nor favored, nor listened to criticism towards me, the new Superior. We were in harmony.

In Oshkosh, we found an empty house. We had no bed, no table, no chair... We sat on boxes in the little shack...

She led an ordinary life in an extraordinary way, everything in her was simple and natural, ...it was the effect of divine grace.

She did nothing without having previously received orders from the Superior. Once I, not having the superior's permission, adorned the altar candles...

She prayed instead of commanding. She was like a sister among sisters. We all had towards her a feeling of great esteem and spontaneous respect.

Mother Frances used only the simplest food. She used to say, "Bread and water are the best thing for me."

I said to her: "All the sisters are praying for you and hoping that you will recover." She answered with holy joy in her eyes, "Let us leave it to the Lord.”