Sister Maria Caritas Hengl is a lifelong Franciscan

Created: 03/30/2022, 17:48

Happy about the many well-wishers: Sister Maria Caritas Hengl.

© FWS

Sister Maria Caritas Hengl celebrated her 100th birthday.

She entered the Franciscan convent at the age of 23.

Schönbrunn – Sister Maria Caritas Hengl celebrated her 100th birthday in Schönbrunn in good health.

Many well-wishers turned up throughout the day, and Sister Maria Caritas was happy about every single guest.

Sister Maria Caritas comes from the Upper Palatinate.

She was born in Zell in the Neumarkt district and grew up with eight brothers and three sisters.

At the age of 23 she entered the Franciscan convent in Schönbrunn.

For many decades she worked in the kitchen and took care of the physical well-being of her fellow sisters.

For 27 years she lived and worked in the Harpfetsham monastery, a holiday and educational center of the Franciscan nuns of Schönbrunn in the district of Traunstein.

In addition to working in the kitchen, Sister Maria Caritas always enjoyed working in the garden.

She not only planted and harvested herbs, salads and vegetables for the kitchen, but also always enjoyed the lush blooming flowers.

She has retained this joy and her "green thumb" to this day.

Sister Maria Caritas sang in the sisters' choir for many years and brought her musical skills to the design of the services and the Liturgy of the Hours as well as to celebrations in the community.

In her free time, Sister Maria Caritas liked to read and write to her family and friends.

Her failing sight makes it increasingly difficult for her to do this, but Sister Caritas is still very interested in what's new in the family, what's happening in the sister community and issues in church and society.

She spends the rest of her life in the nursing home of the Franciscan nuns of Schönbrunn.

In a good rhythm of prayer, community togetherness and the necessary rest and stillness, she takes part in the life and work of the community of Franciscan nuns.

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