Salvatorian Sisters India

BLESSED MARY OF THE APOSTLES

Therese Von Wullenweber was born to Baron Theodor Von Wullenweber and Elisabeth Nee Leefort in Castle Myllendonk, Monchengladbach, Germany on 19 February 1833. During her stay at the boarding School of the Benedictine sisters at Liege in Belgium she came in contact with Bishop van Bommel whom she revered as her second father. She attended Jesuit inspired parish missions in 1853 and 1857and took part in a retreat in 1865 these, made a great impression on her with a missionary vocation As a young woman participating in the parish missions fired her strongly with the mission ideal. She then in response to her vocation entered sisters of the Sacred Heart in Blumenthal, sisters of the visitation, and sisters of the perpetual adoration however she left as her missionary zeal was not satisfied.

In 1875 under the direction of her confessor Dr.Von Essen she made a private vow committing her for the missions. From 1876-1882 she led the orphanage at St. Barbara institute. On 25 April 1882 through a newspaper advertisement she came in contact with Fr. Francis Mary of the Cross the founder of the Apostolic Teaching Society in Rome. She was drawn towards his great missionary Zeal and he was deeply impressed and invited her to join the mission. On September 1882 she became the first female member of the first degree of the Apostolic Teaching Society. On 24 November she renewed her vows and received the name as Mary of the Apostles. She was made the novice mistress and superior of the second branch of the society which was founded on 8 December 1888. After two years the society she was able to send three sisters for the mission in Assam, India.

The society grew rapidly and its missionaries were sent to different parts of the world. Bl. Mary of the Apostles left behind a great example of missionary life. She rendered her selfless services as the general superior for many years. She died after a short illness on 25 December 1907. In recognition of her personal virtues, trust in divine providence and commitment to the missions she was beatified on 13 October 1968. Her feast is kept on 5th September.