Saint of the Month - February 2014: Saint Maria Katharina Kasper

St. Maria Katharina Kasper

A Handmaid of the Lord

Feast: February 2nd

On May 26th, 1820, a little blessing descended upon the humble Kasper family of Dernbach, Germany. The blessing was in the form of a newborn baby who they named "Katharina", and from a tender age, she showed signs of being truly sent from Heaven.

Young Katharina grew into early adulthood being naturally devout, kind, and generous in spirit.  In her later years, the future foundress once admitted, "I had a preference for religion and reading and did not care for anything else." Motivated by her deep faith in Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary, she resolved to consecrate her life completely to God. This consecration was practiced through charitable service of the poor, and also through the care of the sick in her community in which she established a pious reputation for being a go-to person whenever one was in need of help or prayers.

Katharina's example attracted four close companions, and together, they formed the nucleus of what eventually evolved and grew into a religious congregation - the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.  The small group of women established a "little house" and pronounced religious vows on August 15th, 1851, after which they elected Sr. Maria (Katharina Kasper) as the mother-general of the newly founded congregation.  In their humble dwelling the "handmaidens" welcomed widows, orphans, and the infirm; caring for them and assisting with their various needs. The following prayer, offered by the foundress gives us a brief glimpse into the goodness of her soul:

"Give me, O Lord, a strong will

and perceiving zeal to live and work

according to all the principles of

our Holy Faith."

~ St. Maria Katharina

Guided by Mother Maria’s strong, capable leadership and faith the little community quickly grew and expanded its charitable ministry to include the Christian education of children. The congregation was officially recognized by the Church in 1870, and when Mother Maria died on February 2nd, 1898, the Poor Handmaids were successfully operating throughout Germany, Austria, England, Holland, and North America.

"Let us thank our loving God

continuously.  Nothing is a matter

of pure chance; everything comes

from the Most High." 

~ St. Maria Katharina

Mother Maria Katharina Kasper was declared a Saint during a Canonization Ceremony in Rome on October 14, 2018, and her Feast is lovingly observed by the Poor Handmaids on February 2nd of each year.  May the Lord grant them, and the entire Church, the benediction of St. Maria Katharina's charism and intercession.

A Reflection

“Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it unto me.”  ~ Words of Jesus, Mark 25:40

A Short Prayer

Dear St. Maria Katharina, pray for us that we, like you, may come to clearly recognize Jesus, hidden in the guise of the sick and the needy of the world.  Amen.

NOTE:  This post was originally published in February 2014 but was updated in October 2018 to reflect St. Maria Katharina's current status as a Saint.