Name/Title
S.S. DeutschlandEntry/Object ID
20.02.035Description
Illustration of the S.S. Deutschland. Also included is a brief description of a journey aboard the ship in 1868. A group of Franciscan Sisters perished on the S.S. Deutschland in December of 1875 after the ship ran aground off Harwich during a heavy winter storm. Although five Sisters were on the vessel, the body of Sister M. Henrica (Catherine) Fassbender was never recovered. The four others who lost their lives are Sister M. Barbara (Thekla) Hültenschmidt, Sister M. Brigitta (Elisabeth) Damhorst, Sister M. Norberta (Johanna) Reinkober and Sister M. Aurea (Josepha) Badziura. The women were traveling from the motherhouse in Salzkotten, Germany to St. Louis to lead the new American mission.Context
Born in Germany in 1827, Mother Clara Pfaender founded the Franciscan Sisters, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, in 1860. With a focus on education, nursing and care for orphaned children, the women reached out to those in need. In the following years, Sisters were sent to nations such as France, the Netherlands and the United States. There, they gained increased autonomy when America became a province in 1884, and by the early 20th Century, their health and education ministries included locations in Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Colorado. Looking to relocate, in 1947 land was purchased in Wheaton, Illinois and a new motherhouse was completed in 1955. As time passed, the Sisters continued to develop their healthcare ministry and addressed pressing issues such as Polio, Aids and affordable housing. During the early 21st Century, they celebrated the 150th anniversary of the congregation and found new sponsorships for their healthcare and housing ministries. Today, the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters continue to follow in the spirit of Mother Clara Pfaender by responding to the needs of the Church and our times.Made/Created
Notes
Courtesy of the Peabody Essex MuseumLexicon
Search Terms
Religion, Religious Organizations, DrawingReproductions
Notes
Please contact the WFS Archives (archives@wfsisters.org) for further information or materials requests.
