Blessed Caroline Gerhardinger

Caroline Gerhardinger was born to working class parents on June 20 1797 in Bavaria, Germany. Young Caroline was taught by the Canonesses of Saint Augustine, but in 1809 religious orders were repressed by the Bavarian government. Caroline dreamed of teaching the young about God and wanted to become a religious, but could not until the Vatican was able to come to agreement with the Bavarian government for religious communities to continue their work. With the help of a priest and a bishop, in 1834 Caroline was able to begin a small teaching order associated with the French Congregation of Notre Dame; she expanded the order’s teaching activities and her order became the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Caroline was devoted to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and took the name Teresa of Jesus. She became known for her virtue and hard work. By the time of her death on May 9, 1879 there were several convents of her order. Caroline Gerhardinger was beatified by John Paul II on November 17, 1985.