10 Facts About Karolina Gerhardinger

Karolina Gerhardinger was a German Roman Catholic religious sister who founded the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

The canonization process for Karolina Gerhardinger was opened in 1952 under Pope Pius XII, when she was declared a Servant of God.

Karolina Gerhardinger commenced her training as a lay teacher at the local monastery of the Canonesses Regular of Notre Dame, founded by Peter Fourier in 17th century France for the free education of poor girls.

Karolina Gerhardinger eventually decided to begin an order of her own, devoted to Christian education of poor children.

Karolina Gerhardinger made her religious vows in the Saint Gallus chapel in Regensburg on 16 November 1835 and assumed the name of "Maria Theresia of Jesus".

Karolina Gerhardinger accompanied five religious in 1847 to the United States to assist the many German immigrants who were starting new lives there in great numbers, often without a command of English.

Karolina Gerhardinger fell ill in 1877, which prompted Pope Pius to send her a telegram with his blessings.

Karolina Gerhardinger died in 1879 in the presence of her religious sisters and the papal nuncio, Cardinal Gaetano Aloisi Masella.

Karolina Gerhardinger's remains are housed in Saint James's Church in Munich.

Pope John Paul II declared Karolina Gerhardinger to be Venerable on 13 January 1983 after confirming her heroic virtue.