November 11, 2018 - "Newly Canonized Saints"

On Sunday, October 14, 2018, Pope Francis canonized Blessed Paul VI, Blessed Oscar Romero, Blessed Vincent Romano, Blessed Francesco Spinelli, Blessed Nazaria March Mesa, and Blessed Katharina Kasper.  A few weeks ago I wrote about Saint Paul VI.  I want to continue writing about these newly canonized saints.  Today I am writing about Saint Katharina Kasper.  I am going to base my remarks about her on the short biography published recently in the English edition of Osservatore Romano.
 
Katharina Kasper knew no confessional boundaries in loving others, in education, and in the care of the sick.  Born on May 26, 1820 in Derbach, Germany (now in the Diocese of Limburg, Germany), she was the seventh child of a large farming family.  As a child she became well acquainted with the miserable living conditions of the rural people who tilled the poor soil, braving harsh weather to reap only a meager harvest.  Because she encountered such great poverty early on, Katharina’s main objective became actively helping people around her in order to lessen their physical and spiritual misery.  In addition to her own personal commitment, she founded an organization whose aim, she explained, was “to spread virtue by example, education, and prayer.” Thus on August 15, 1851, Katharina and four of her companions made their vows before the Bishop in Wirges.
 
One year later, on the occasion of the association’s first exercises, the young women received their religious names.  From then on Katharina was known as Maria and the association as the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.  Shortly afterward, the statutes of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ were approved by the Vatican.
 
As Superior General, Sister Maria Katharina did not actively seek to expand the community along a clearly defined plan.  On the contrary, she opened houses only when she was invited to do so.  By 1855, the Handmaids had spread beyond diocesan confines with the first house in the Archdiocese of Cologne.
 
At the time of her death on February 2, 1898, the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ numbered 1,725 women religious spread throughout 193 houses:  152 in Germany, 28 in America, 4 in Holland, 2 in England, and 7 in what is now the Czech Republic.  Sister Maria Katharina never gave any importance to personal growth and the territorial interests of the Institute.  What truly mattered to her was to live one’s vocation by living with serenity, humility, simplicity, and harmony, above all, for one’s own sanctification, because it is the only way to aid in the salvation of others.
 
In many ways she was ahead of her time.  With great ease, she shared friendship and dialogue with representatives from other religions and even with atheists.  Her bond with nature and its gifts also reveal a person who can still guide us today.  If she were alive today, she might well take part in the environmental or pacifist movement.
 
Katharina Kasper was beatified by St. Paul VI on April 16, 1978.
 
Until next week,
Fr. John