Blessed Caroline Gerhardinger

Blessed Caroline Gerhardinger Biography

Blessed Caroline Gerhardinger (1797-1879) was a German Roman Catholic woman who founded the School Sisters of Notre Dame, a religious congregation dedicated to education. She was born in Wiblingen, near Ulm, in the Kingdom of Württemberg, in southern Germany.

As a young woman, Gerhardinger felt a calling to religious life, but was unable to find a congregation that met her spiritual needs. In 1833, she and two companions formed a small community dedicated to the education of young women. They initially lived and worked in a school in the town of Burghausen, and later moved to Munich.

In 1843, Gerhardinger and her companions received permission from the local bishop to establish a formal religious congregation, which they named the School Sisters of Notre Dame. The congregation was dedicated to providing education to young women, and quickly established schools throughout Germany and Austria.

Gerhardinger served as the Superior General of the congregation until her death. Under her leadership, the congregation grew rapidly and expanded its mission to include not only education, but also social and pastoral work.

Gerhardinger also involved herself in many other works, She opened orphanages, schools for the deaf and for the blind. She also was involved with the local hospital and nursing care

Gerhardinger died in 1879 in Munich and was buried in the motherhouse of the congregation. Her cause for canonization was opened by the Catholic Church in 1931.

In 1978 Pope Paul VI beatified her, the second step towards canonization. Her memorial is celebrated on December 12 and she is known as the “Mother of Education”

Gerhardinger’s teachings on education continue to inspire the work of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, which today operates schools, universities and other educational institutions in many countries around the world.

Popular Blessed Caroline Gerhardinger Medal and Blessed Caroline Gerhardinger Rosary

 

Prayers to Blessed Caroline Gerhardinger

Prayer of Intercession to Blessed Caroline Gerhardinger

Dear Blessed Caroline Gerhardinger, please intercede for us as we strive to follow in your footsteps of love and service to the poor and the education of young woman. Help us to emulate your courage and selflessness in all that we do, and to always be mindful of those who are less fortunate. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen

 

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Prayer to Blessed Caroline Gerhardinger

Heavenly Father, we give thanks for the life and legacy of Blessed Caroline Gerhardinger. We ask that you bless us with the same spirit of generosity and dedication that she possessed. Help us to put the needs of others before our own and to follow her example of caring for the poor and education of young woman. Amen.

Saints Similar to Blessed Caroline Gerhardinger

You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. Angela Merici and the Biography of St. John Baptist de la Salle. Both St. Angela Merici and St. John Baptist de la Salle were involved in education and founded religious orders dedicated to it. St. Angela Merici founded the Ursuline Sisters, while St. John Baptist de la Salle founded the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Blessed Caroline Gerhardinger shared a similar commitment to education and founded the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Next up: Biography of Blessed Emilee Doultremont

 

Also check out our handmade Blessed Caroline Gerhardinger Medal and Blessed Caroline Gerhardinger Rosary and Blessed Caroline Gerhardinger Rosary Bracelet