HÖSS, MARIE KRESZENTIA, blessed. — Born on 20 October 1682 at Kaufbeuren (diocese of Augsburg), died on 5 April 1744. In 1703 she entered the monastery of the Franciscan tertiaries of Kaufbeuren, where, overcoming many humiliations and difficulties, she attained great virtue. She was mistress of novices from 1714 and superior from 1741. She was highly esteemed by prominent figures, including Empress Maria Teresa herself. Through an extensive correspondence she was able to exercise a broad apostolate and exert a notable influence on her time. She was beatified on 7 October 1900. Feast day: 6 April.
BIBL.: I. Jeiler, Leben der M. Kr. H. von K., Dülmen 1884 (9th ed. 1929; Italian translation, Quaracchi 1900); E. Schlund, Aus dem Gebetlichen einer Heiligen, in Zeitschr. für Asesse u. Mystik, 2 (1927), pp. 205–210; J. B. Gatz, Mein Leben ist Lieben, mein Leben ist Leiden: Ein Lebensbild der sel. M.Kr.H. von K., Monaco 1930. Stanislao Majarelli