by Sr. M. Emily Kenkel
It was the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary back in 1958. Six young sisters still in novitiate set sail across the Atlantic Ocean, leaving their homeland in Germany for the United States. The United States – not what you might normally consider mission territory in the strict sense of the word, but for these sisters, it meant bringing a new timely spirituality to the Catholic Church in America: a covenant of love with Mary, striving for holiness in the everyday, total availability as an instrument in God’s hands.
A Lifelong Adventure
“It was very special,” said Sr. M. Corelia, one of the missionaries. “We had our farewell in the Original Shrine. We traveled by train through the night, then went to holy Mass in the morning. This delayed us a little, and by the time we got to the ship, it had already started to move! We had to board the ship by climbing the ladder up the side. I don’t know anymore how we managed that, but we did it.” This was just the beginning of a lifelong adventure for them, an adventure of seeking and following God’s will at every moment.
Given with Joy
Sr. M. Antoinette was among the missionary novices who landed in Texas that October. At 20 years old, she was the youngest – with a vivacious spirit and ready to build God’s kingdom. After just a short time to hone her English skills, she dove into classroom teaching. Over the next nine years, she taught kindergarten, first, and second grades at Catholic schools in South Texas. She had a talent for teaching and a heart for her students, who appreciated her very much. Her genuine love for Jesus and his Blessed Mother spilled over into the youngsters and formed them for life.
As a true missionary, Sr. M. Antoinette simply placed her abilities at the service of the community for the rest of her life. It didn’t matter how she built God’s kingdom – what mattered was her surrender. So whether she was teaching, or cooking, or catechizing, or serving the sisters as their superior, she did so in a spirit of joy and profound faith. She prayed. She lived in God’s presence. Her prayer came from a heart that was genuine and pure – and her dedication to those entrusted to her flowed from this joyful oneness with God.
Total Abandonment
Even as dementia began to gradually take her mental capacities from her, what remained always intact was her religious spirit and her fun-loving attitude toward life. She took delight in making others smile, sometimes even with a little bit of good-natured mischief. All this was a fruit of her total abandonment to God’s will – she lived completely carefree. The words of Jesus, “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3) found fulfillment in her life.
The Last Journey
She became like a child, and God our Father has now called her to himself. On October 13, 2025 – sixty-seven years after that first missionary journey by boat – she set sail for the shores of heaven, the final destination of our life here on earth. We will miss our dear Sr. M. Antoinette. But we have doubtlessly gained a valuable intercessor at the throne of God. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her!