Saint of the Day: Bl. Ulrika Fransiska Nisch

Religious Sister (1882-1913)

Her life

+ Fransiska Dettenrieder was born to poor, hard-working parents in Oberdorg-Mitteliberach, Germany.

+ Raised by a grandmother and aunt, Fransiska felt the call to religious life at an early age. However, because of her poverty, she worked as a maid in several homes to support her family. She would later work in a general store and cheese factory.

+ In 1903, Fransiska began to suffer from a skin rash known as erysipelas and entered a hospital where she was treated by the Sisters of Charity of Holy Cross. She was so impressed by the sisters who cared for her that she entered the community in 1904. In religious life, she was known as “Sister Ulrika.”

+ Sister Ulrika spent her few remaining years working kitchens in several houses of her community. During those times, she was known for her deep spirit of prayer and mystical experiences.

+ Blessed Ulrika died on May 8, 1913, and was beatified in 1987.

For prayer and reflection

“I will betroth you to me forever: I will betroth you to me with justice and judgment, with loyalty and with compassion.”—Hosea 2:21

Spiritual bonus

On this day we also remember Saint John of Beverly. A monk in Canterbury, England, he was appointed archbishop of York in 705. Saint John died in 721 and was honored as a saint immediately after his death.

Prayer

O God, by whose gift blessed Ulrika persevered in imitating Christ, poor and lowly, grant us through her intercession that, faithfully walking in our own vocation, we may reach the perfection you have set before us in your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal: Common of Holy Men and Women—For Religious)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.