Foundress of the Sisters of St. Catherine (1552-1613)
Her life
+ Regina was born to a merchant family in Braunsberg, Royal Prussia (modern-day Poland).
+ Raised during the years of the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic “Counter-Reformation,” she was quite familiar with the religious and political turmoil of the times. Inspired by the religious formation she received from the Jesuits, she announced to her family that she intended devote herself to religious studies and the care of the sick and poor.
+ Regina and two companions began living in an abandoned house. The group supported itself caring for the sick and doing housework.
+ In 16th century Prussia, there were no religious communities for women and the Council of Trent had restricted women to living and serving within cloistered communities. Despite these prohibitions, Regina established a new religious community, which came to be known as the Sisters of St. Catherine, Virgin and Martyr.
+ Regina and her sisters served the sick and trained nurses to provide care where it was needed. In the years before her death in 1613, she also established schools for girls.
+ Blessed Regina Protmann was beatified in 1999.
For reflection
“With no thought of herself, Blessed Regina looked to the needs of the people and the Church, meeting them with foresight. The words “As God wills” became the motto of her life. Ardent love urged her to fulfil the Heavenly Father’s will, following the example of the Son of God. She did not shrink from the cross of daily service in giving witness to the Risen Christ.”—Pope Saint John Paul II
Prayer
O God, who raised up blessed Regina in your Church to show others the way of salvation, grant us, by her example, so to follow Christ the master, that we may come with our neighbor into your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal: Common of Holy Men and Women—For Educators)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
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