Feb 5, 2021 | HISTORY
Helena Hoffmann was born two days before Popielec, on Monday, February 7, 1910 in Zgoda (Eintrachthütte), in today’s Świętochłowice district. She was the first child of Albina and Józef Hoffmann. Helena’s father was Józef Hoffmann, born on September 9, 1886 in Gąsiorowice (Gonschiorowitz). Historian, Fr. Joseph Schweter, CSsR, described his nationality as German. Józef was a Silesian from today’s Opole region, probably a traditional one, who spoke both German and Polish. Her mother was Albina Jarzombek, born on December 31, 1889 in Świętochłowice (Schwientochlowitz), to a family with a Polish orientation. In 1912, from this marriage, Reinhold was born – Helena’s younger brother. In 1916, the girl began studying at the 7-grade Public General School in Zgoda. As a schoolgirl, she was distinguished by a cheerful disposition and many abilities. Good memory and sharp mind allowed her to quickly learn both German and Polish; She also did not avoid Silesian dialect. Helena liked to learn, she easily gained new skills, she belonged to the theater club. From an early age, she liked to pray, appreciated the value of sacramental, often attended the Eucharist, and also had a passion for adoration and to the Blessed Virgin. The encouragement of her first confessor, parish priest Fr. Edward Adamczyk, to build a “chapel” in her heart for the Savior became for Helena the key to understanding her inner life.
Hoffmann’s first Holy Communion was made on May 5, 1921. After the celebration of the First Holy Communion, Helena, while digging in the field, came across a medallion depicting a nun holding a cross and roses. She didn’t know who it was. But – vaguely – she remembered that before her first confession she had dreamed of a similar figure and that she had been strengthened then. A little later, the girl in one of the religious magazines saw a photo of the same character. In one of Helen’s dreams she introduced herself to St. Teresa of the Child Jesus and from then on she systematically accompanied her in spirit. St. Teresa of Lisieux suggested her intentions to pray and to offer herself to God. In her dreams, she gave Helena, and later S. M. Dulcissima, spiritual guidance, inviting her to persistent prayers and sacrifices for the Church, Marian sisters and priests.
Helena Hoffmann entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate in 1927. As a postulant, on October 23, 1929, in the Motherhouse in Wrocław, she received veil. Then she took a new name: Maria Dulcissima, received the habit and a white veil. She lived with other novices in the novitiate house in Nysa. In both cities, then located in Germany. In the novitiate, S.M. Dulcissima took up an interior struggle, accepted suffering as a gift, and continued to enjoy the “visitation” of St. Teresa of Lisieux. An important role in accompanying her in her illness was played by the spiritual director, Fr. Wincenty Groeger and S. M. Lazaria Stephanik SMI, a qualified nurse from Gliwice, who often witnessed her spiritual visions and meetings with the Blessed Mother, the Child Jesus, St. Teresa of the Child Jesus, The Guardian Angel, or the mystic Teresa Neumann from Konnersreuth in Bavaria. Immersing herself in prayer absorbed Sr. M. Dulcissima, while a deep and strong desire for union with God opened her paths to mystical meetings with her Bridegroom.
- M. Dulcisisma Hoffmann arrived at the religious house in Brzezie – a village on the Oder near Racibórz – on January 18, 1933. There she made herself known as a merciful Samaritan woman who accepted the requests and sufferings of people, offering them to God. The words: “Souls, Jesus, give me souls!” Became her favorite prayer! (…). Yes, I want to save souls, not so that anyone knows about it, but only you, my [Saint] Guardian Angel and Saint. Teresa “. In Lent of 1935, the Lord Jesus rewarded her total devotion to the mystery of the cross with the privilege and the felt charism of stigmata on her arms and legs, and soon also on her heart. St. Teresa of Lisieux accompanied her and said: “You must recreate Jesus completely in yourself.” The matters of the Church and the Congregation became very close to her heart. She prayed earnestly for the Holy Father, priests, men and religious women, the sick and the dead. Endowed with the gift of intercessory prayer and foreseeing history, she offered her sufferings in the current needs of the ecclesial community, both local and universal. She had ecstatic visions of the persecution of the Church in Germany and Bohemia; she experienced the attacks of the devil. The “Bride of the Cross” foretold the coming war, social unrest, and famines; heralded the coming plagues and diseases related to humans and animals. Mystical experiences led her to readily accept penance at all times for the sins of not only lay people but also priests and religious. Physically weak, immobilized in free pace.
Moving through paralysis, suffering from headaches, she fainted, but was able to pray for hours and offer her sufferings as compensation for sins. On Holy Thursday, April 18, 1935, she made her perpetual vows in the monastery chapel of the Brzezie.
Sr. M. Dulcissima Hoffmann trusted in God’s mercy to the end. Reconciled with God’s will, she died in Brzezie on Monday, May 18, 1936, four days before the Ascension of the Lord. This twenty-six-year-old girl came out to meet the Bridegroom with a burning lamp (Mt 25: 1-13). She joined Him at the appropriate hour in her beautiful life, in which she kept watch by her commitment to do good. Moreover, she was wise and prudent.
She found her burial place in the old church cemetery. The funeral of the “Bride of the Cross” became a manifestation of faith. The people of Brzezie, dressed in white on the day of the funeral, were convinced that their “holy nun” had died and immediately took the earth from the tomb, believing that this “relic” would protect them, their families and the houses in which they lived from all evil.
In 2000, her mortal remains were exhumed, secured and placed in a sarcophagus near the Brzeg parish church of the holy apostles Matthew and Matthias. The beatification process at the diocesan level of S. M. Dulcissima Helena Hoffmann began on May 18, 1999 in Katowice – exactly on the 36th anniversary of her death – and was completed after 20 years also on May 18, 2019 in Brzezie. From that day on, the matter of her sanctity of life was investigated by the Roman postulator – Dr. Giovanna Brizzi. For us, the “Bride of God” keeps pointing to heaven and interceding for us if we ask her to. It’s worth it.
Sr. M. Małgorzata Cur SMI
Feb 5, 2021 | NEWS
On the third Sunday of January, there was a gathering in the cradle of our Congregation – in the Motherhouse in Wrocław, which was attended by over a dozen women. The leading theme was the person of Mary, “All beautiful and full of grace.”
After the invocation of the Holy Spirit, we sang matins, which is “the voice of the beloved Bride of Christ,” to sanctify the morning hours of the day and to obtain a blessing for the entire Christian people.
The first part of the focus, led by Sister Agnieszka Plasło, was devoted to the essence of entrusting to Mary and putting oneself in “the bondage of love”. For a modern man, being a slave may evoke negative feelings, albeit in the Christian sense and in the spirit of St. Louis Maria Grignion de Montfort, a slave does not belong to himself, he has his Lord and therefore is untouchable, protected. Therefore, entrusting ourselves to Jesus through the hands of Mary, we find ourselves in a safe Ark, where the Evil One has no access. But you can only devote yourself to someone you know, trust and love. That is why the second part of the meeting was devoted to the obstacles that we encounter in our relationship with God and Mary. These obstacles are within us. It is too much concentration on ourselves and our needs, which closes us in selfishness and deepens our defects. The alternative is to enter the path of dying, that is, “when the seed falls into the ground, it first dies to bear fruit” and to choose values so that the virtues take root in us.
We stopped at our relationship with our mother in turn. The mother-child bond is the deepest bond. Often, difficult relationships with mothers look at Mary and therefore, she may seem distant, inaccessible, absent … The relationship with the mother translates into various relational planes, for example: superior – subordinate, teacher-student, employer-employee. Becoming aware of these mechanisms gives you the opportunity to change. If we live in more and more awareness of what is hidden within us, we become more free internally.
After the formation meeting, we shared the work of God’s Word in our lives. We considered the Annunciation of Mary according to the Gospel of St. Luke.
In the further program, the conferences were delivered by Father Łukasz Mścisławski, OP, who reminded us that we are the work of God’s love, created in His image and likeness, and that our goal, home and homeland is the bosom of God the Father. Man’s likeness to God is deeper in us than sin. Many people have not discovered their identity and do not know who he really is, how precious and beautiful he is in God’s eyes. That is why Mary comes to help us. As the most grateful creature whose life was a song of thanksgiving for the great works done by God, he always teaches concentration on Jesus and accepting His Word. The accepted Word gives our lives the right direction.
Throughout the afternoon, the participants of the recollection had the opportunity to enter the sacrament of penance and reconciliation, to talk and to adore the Blessed Sacrament with a beautiful musical setting. At the end of the meeting, we ate the Word and Body of Jesus during the Eucharist.
During a joyful agape we shared the fruits of the day, thanking God for the great things He has done for us today.
Collections for women will take place cyclically in order to enter deeply into Marian spirituality and give oneself into the “bondage of love”.
Here are the brief testimonies of the participants in the concentration:
God bless. My name is Agata and I live in Łódź. On January 23, I participated in the day of recollection “All beautiful and full of grace” in Wrocław, organized by the Sisters of Mary Immaculate.
Sometimes you hear that this or that happened by accident and that’s how I got there too, because I went to meet the leading sister and two friends more than for the topic and focus. That was my motivation.
However, I can see how much the Lord Jesus wanted me to be there.
For some time I have been working on the topic “relationship with mom”, what should it be? What is it characterized by? What was not in my family, etc., I know that despite the difficulties (I was brought up more by my dad), this is something that I have to work with and I have already started to do it. On the way to this day of recollection, I read a book about it on the train. What was my surprise when my sister started talking about it SAME at the conference!
To get to know the Mother of God better, you must first look at your own relationship with your mother. Such a coincidence? I do not think so. God cares for me and I can see HIM leading me.
In a calm atmosphere and in a small group and openness of the other participants, I also learned how to look at the “needs” that develop me and that make me lean more towards selfishness.
It was good to be there, and I also took advantage of the conversation with the priest. I think that this Saturday time is already paying off for me, I am waiting for the next meetings, because I heard that they are planned.
Agatha
“For me, this day of recollection, it was a time of grace … From the very beginning I felt God’s Presence among us and the Presence of Mary … For me, the process of healing my relationship with my mother began, I didn’t even realize that I needed it so much it affects my life. I was encouraged to work on myself, I realize that it will be a process, but it is important that I was encouraged to do so and I believe that Jesus and Mary will help me. It was a time of good talks, of being in relationship with others. The conversation with my father gave me a lot, I felt the tension drop from me. It is good to hear that I can come to Jesus with what I am weak in, I raise my children by myself and I think I had to deal with everything, that there was no room for weakness. All setting, preparation was very good. It was so warm from the Sisters, the smile made the people feel accepted. Thank you for the songs at Adoration and Eucharist – they touched hearts, were beautifully prepared. I recommend and encourage everyone to experience such days of recollection, it is really a time of God’s grace ”.
Asia
“On January 23, I had the pleasure to participate in the day of recollection in Wrocław entitled “All beautiful and full of grace.” Let me start with the words of the song with which we were able to end the meeting:
“Let our path be common
Let our prayer be humble
Our Love is powerful
Our Eternal Joy ”
Man changes … years fly, but I know one thing for sure, if not for the sisters almost 10 years ago, I would not be here today … I started with time, because time shows how much love is put into each meeting 😊. After the whole meeting, I say that nothing happens without a reason and this is what it is nowadays pandemic – a man needs such a Lamp in the form of sisters that will help to be on the right path.
Thanks to Sr. Rachel and Sr. Agnieszka, we have the opportunity to follow the right path, for which I thank them very much 😊.
During the pandemic, I went far from God and Mary to such an extent that I blamed every little trouble on them, I thought that I did not miss them. I was very wrong … I miss the Church. Courage to take risks and trust again. I felt it already at matins. The first tears behind the eyelids … think “what’s going on?” The meeting with Sr. Agnieszka, which went deep into the depths, although I liked not every word that was said, because it showed how much work ahead of me, but also how much I had already gone through …The meeting ended with working with the Holy Scriptures and sharing the word of God (Lk 1,26-38)
The Lord stopped me over my inner monologue of anger and showed me two verses Lk 1.30 “Do not be afraid” and Lk 1.37 “For nothing is impossible for God.” Jesus introduced peace and a sense of security with these words. I would like to thank the sisters for the opportunity to meet, not only physically, but above all spiritually. ”
Karina
“The day of recollection was a beautiful time to listen to yourself. In the silence before the Lord Jesus, I was able to look at my heart and my desires. Mary, especially at this time, made her presence felt, her closeness felt. Thanks to the content given to us by Sr. Agnieszka and Fr. Łukasz, I have rediscovered Mary as a Mother ”.
Julia
“I think that after the day of recollection, everything is still going well in my head and heart and that the fruit will be more visible with time, but I am sure that it will be because there was quite a lot of spiritual struggle before and during the meeting.
During the conference, I learned interesting things, which affects our femininity and relationship with Mary, but also with the people with whom we meet every day. It also reminded me that everything that happens in our life makes sense and that God watches over everything, and what has been entrusted to Mary will not perish forever.
I had a very important conversation with sister Agnieszka, after which I felt a peace of heart and an even greater desire to build a deep relationship with Jesus.
God bless you for this beautiful and important initiative 🙂 ”
Magda
Feb 5, 2021 | POSITIVE IMPULSES
What pleases me can be not pleasing to others. The fact that I like something, is not to be a reason to take it for granted that everyone likes it. So, before generalizing, stop for a moment and look around with the question, “I like it and what about others?” This openness eases many tensions where we are living and working. Generalization of my likes may create a lot of dislikes which damages the positivity of the situation where we are. Be sensitive to the likes of others before generalizing!
Don Giorgio
Feb 4, 2021 | FORUM
I got to know the congregation through my older sisters who worked in Fridrichstahl (Zagwiździe), where I lived. The sisters looked after children and the elderly there, and they also visited the sick. There was one older sister Gerwazja who loved me very much, and I loved her also. This acquaintance drew me to the monastery (“I drew them with human bonds, and they were bonds of love” Hosea 11: 4).
Unfortunately, in January 1943, the Russians (Russians) shot Sister Gerwzia. That day she came from the sick, and there was a Rusek who hurt her and then led her out into the yard. She knelt beside a lilac bush, and he killed her with a shot to the side of the head. The sisters took her home and after 3 days she was buried without a priest who was also afraid that they would shoot him. Ultimately, it also happened. My father broke the coffin, dug a grave and laid Sr. Gerwazja in the ground, without any funeral ceremonies. She is lying there in the cemetery to this day.
From the age of 15 I had been working for sisters as a help with the care of elderly women and children. I was washing and cleaning. At that time I thought that God specially educates and stores in some special place girls who want to become religious sisters, and then sends them to a monastery. I wanted to enter a monastery, I didn’t care what it was. I also knew the Noterdam sisters, but they kept their distance from me, they were unavailable, and I wanted more and more to join and be one of the sisters, so I came to the Sisters of Mary Immaculate, because they embraced me, showed a lot of warmth and interest. I wrote a letter to Sister Agreda in German, because I did not speak Polish yet. I wanted to join on October 1st. She wrote back to me to come in early to go to school from September 1st. And that’s how it happened. Together with other candidates, we rejoiced to be together in the convent, there were 14 of us. We were very close, we loved each other.
In my candidacy, for the first time I had a dream about the Founding Father, i.e. his tomb. On both sides stood two little beautiful angels, they held the light in their hands and said: “come here to the Founder and pray, he always listens to you.” At that time, I did not know the Founder, at first I was just glad to be in the monastery. After this dream, I began to get to know our Founder more, I began to pray for his intercession and feel a bond with him.
Later in 1953, while already being deported to Otorowo, I had a dream again of Founder. I only saw him then. He was supposed to be a bishop, but he came in plain clothes, he had black trouser and a white shirt, he was tall, slim and dignified. We were curious how long we would stay there, we waited for him to tell us. We knew it comes from heaven. He raised his hand, looked right, left and said, “Hold on, sisters, hold on.” Behind him was an Angel who talked to the sisters and gave us black wool. We followed Father Founder, but only we could get to the border of the house, then not, because he started to ascend to heaven. We were like disciples who looked at the Ascension of the Lord Jesus. This dream gave me more joy, a willingness to pray and to life in general.
On March 25, at the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 10 sisters and myself made their perpetual vows in Otorowo. It was very modest, but joyful. We got wedding rings (I don’t know where from) and sleeves as a gift.
I was very happy. I was one of the youngest, I was 23 years old. They took a picture of us.
The Ursuline Sisters, who lived 10 km away, visited us, and for holidays and celebrations – they made us surprises to make us happy.
Initially, I worked in the field for 3 months. We were collecting potatoes, beetroots, it was harvest. Later, I sewed shirts and sheets on the machine, ironed them (75 shirts a day, but I ironed more), sewed buttons. There was matins every morning, then Holy Mass, noon prayers at noon, and vespers in the afternoon. We prayed the Latin breviary, I presided often. In summer, when it was hot, we prayed outside, sitting on benches made of wooden boards.
The following year, in January, they let us out.
The stay in Otorowo strengthened my vocation, I was not discouraged by this experience. Only one sister left after her first vows because her mother had come for her. There were 120 sisters there, but only one went. If my mother had come to pick me up, I wouldn’t have gone.
I am proud that I am in the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary Immaculate and that Mary watches over us, because she is closest to the Lord Jesus, she is our Protector and Help of Christians. She is ours and we are her children.
In the most difficult moments, I was supported by mutual love and the joy of being in the community. I experienced that being together gives strength.
Now I am 84 years old and I am waiting for one more dream, when the Founder will come to me. I want to hear what he tells me.
Nysa, 03/11/2014
(She listened and wrote down Sr. Rachela Wąsowicz)
Feb 2, 2021 | POSITIVE IMPULSES, SPIRITUALITY
Pope Saint John Paul II instituted a day of prayer for women and men in consecrated life. This celebration is attached to the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd. This Feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. So too, those in consecrated life are called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples.
Three reflections to share:
1. Consecration is a liberation through faith from our personal plans to embrace the plan of God. In the life of St. Joseph, we see it very clearly. He had his own personal plans but after the apparition of the Angel in the dream, “he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him”. This is a constant process in our life. Standing above our personal plans to be an instrument of His plan. No other plans, Jesus is my plan!
2. Consecration is embracing with hope the present situation to make it the best place for Jesus Christ to be present. Here also we see in St. Joseph a model. There was no place in the inn, instead St. Joseph prepared a manger. Wherever we are, our consecration gives us the hope to make a place for Jesus. Kings or shepherds, they will find in our witness, in our joy, in our being, the good news of Messiah. No doubts, Jesus is my joy!
3. Consecration is becoming love to be the light to guide those around us according to the plan of God. The image of St. Joseph, leading the Holy Family is before us. Becoming love happens in our personal relationship with God who becomes our love. In that love, we know when to flee to Egypt and when to go to Nazareth so that our only Love, Jesus is alive in us. No compromises, Jesus is my treasure!
Don Giorgio
