STREITEL, MARIA FRANZISKA. - Foundress of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows, b. at Mellrichstadt (diocese of Würzburg) on 24 Nov. 1844, d. at Castro S. Elia (diocese of Nepi) on 6 March 1911.
Piously educated and assiduous in works of piety, at the age of 21 she entered the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, among whom from 1866 to 1882 she exercised various offices and held various positions. However, desiring a more austere life, she entered the Carmelites, but could not remain there. After a few months, called to Rome by Fr. Giovanni Jordan, founder of the Society of the Divine Savior, she founded under his guidance the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows, approved by the cardinal vicar in 1885, with the purpose of assisting the sick in hospitals and in private homes, and of maintaining orphanages, schools, kindergartens and hospices. In 1886 she was appointed mother general, remaining in this office for 10 years, when she was deposed because of false denunciations. She lived and worked for another 15 years, first in Rome and then at Castro S. Elia, in the greatest humility, totally dedicated to prayer, penance and the education of children. Her death brought to light, together with the even extraordinary graces granted to those who invoked her, her admirable holiness; so much so that her cause of beatification was introduced on 13 June 1947.
Bibliography
Celestino Testore