The following account of the life of Mother Salesia was written by Sister Pia Schonhofer, one of the three members of the original American foundation, at the request of Mother Victoria in 1908. Sister Pia was at that time 77 years old and had been away from America for 22 years. She asked Mother Victoria's indulgence for her "obsolete language," explaining that she had forgotten the "then modern words and expressions."

In her letter she also conveyed her congratulations and best wishes to Mother Victoria, who had recently been elected; thanked the Louisville Community for the "large sum" it had sent to the Straubing house; and assured Mother Victoria of her prayers for the success of the Jubilee celebration marking 50 years of Ursuline service in Louisville.

Click here to return to the short biography of Mother Salesia.

A Biography of
Venerable Mother Salesia Reitmeier
Foundress of the Ursuline Convent
Year 1858

By Sister Pia Schonhofer, 1908

Mother Salesia was born the 5th of February, 1832, in the village of Haidfling, Nether Bavaria. The family lived in good circumstances. The father, Mr. Reitmeier, a tradesman, was unfortunately killed by a horse when the youngest of the three children that bemoaned his too early death was but five years old.

The widow, Mrs. Reitmeier, had two brothers, who were priests. One of them was Rector of the Parish is Upper Schneiding, and to him she went as housekeeper. There she raised her orphaned children and sent them to school, taking care of them. Here I must say a few words in respect to the above named priest, Reverend Father Handweker. He was not only a great friend to the poor and needy, but also the support and helper of all, who in their distress and afflictions thronged from near and far. Not very long ago we read in a widespread paper of the high virtues of this saintly priest, and that his works and deeds for the suffering humanity resembled the miracles of a Saint. No wonder that the little Ursula, so she was called in baptism, imbibed in such surroundings also a love of prayer and self-abnegation. Several times the mother and the children went to see their second priestly uncle, who was curate of a Congregation in Pfaffenhofen. During such a visit it happened that a Franciscan Friar named Leander called at the uncle's house on his collection tour. Looking at the little girl Ursula, then six years old, "Listen, I am soon going away to a foreign land, far, far away; but mark I after twenty years I will return, I shall call for you, and when I go back to my new home, I shall take you along across the wide Ocean. Meanwhile you must apply yourself to hard study, make an examen, you should go into a convent, become a Sister, and prepare yourself to take charge of my parish school in Louisville.

And, strange to say, everything happened exactly as the pious Brother had foretold. When our little Ursula was in her twelfth year, she became a boarder in the Convent of St. Ursula at Straubing, and commenced her studies for an examen in the German language. By her prominent talents and unwearied diligence she gained the first note, which was considered a great success. Shortly afterwards she entered the Novitiate and took the veil on the 25th of April, 1852. Two years later, 1854, Sister de Sales, as she was called in religion, made her vows. Her uncle, who was greatly prejudiced against the convent, now became a friend of it and he was rejoiced at the proceedings of his niece. Mother Salesia was a very pious and zealous nun from the beginning, was loved and esteemed by her Superiors as well as by every Sister in the Community. Seven years she had lived in the service of God, when lo! The above named Father Leander, now a priest, arrived in Europe, with the intention to get Sisters for his school in Louisville, Kentucky. He thought of the little girl Ursula, sought information, and learned that in reality she had become a nun in the Ursuline Convent in Straubing. Thither he hastened, asked her into the parlor, and told her, that now he came in order to take her with him to the foreign, unknown country; he asked her whether she had courage enough for the required sacrifice, viz. to leave her native land, her dear mother, brother and sister, and friends an acquaintances, convent and sisters. Yes, she was ready to make this sacrifice.

It was necessary to get for this step the permission of the higher and highest Superiors. The then Superioress in Straubing, Venerable Mere Jos. Liebler would not even listen to the petition of Mother Salesia; and more over the Right Reverend Bishop of Ratisbon, Ignatius de Senestry also made difficulties; he would not hear anything of America, and in fact had never given his consent, being abroad at this time; he himself related this in later years. The departure of Father Leander could no longer be delayed, as the transaction had lasted for more than two months.

During these preparations there was also great excitement in the convent itself. The proposition was so uncommon, so new, so strange, the land so unknown, the chances for success so gloomy and uncertain; besides, Mother Salesia was beloved, skillful and of great use; for she was competent not only in the German language, but also knew French, played the piano and guitar, had a fine voice for singing, and above all excelled in needlework; no wonder most of the Sisters were opposed to Mother Salesia leaving the Convent. In spite of all these obstacles she did not lose courage and wavered not in her resolution; but on the 28th of September 1858, left the cloister accompanied by two Sisters, who of their own free will undertook the adventure. In Pfaffenhofen she called once more at her uncle's; and remained there some hours; then left for Munich, where we were most kindly received by the Dominican Sisters in the Duke's Hospital, there to wait for the sailing of the Steamer Austria.

It was a great disappointment for Mother Salesia as she learned that the ship had already lifted anchor, not waiting for us poor Sisters, though cabins had been reserved beforehand. Thanks to the Lord's almighty and bountiful prudence and wisdom, who with a mighty and powerful hand leads the destinies of man, the Austria did not reach her place of destination; on the high Sea she was destroyed by fire; not a soul of the 300 on board was saved! Mother Salesia with her companions was thus saved from certain death. We found a friendly and ample hospitality by the above named Ladies in the Duke's Hospital during seven days while we waited for the sailing of the Ariel on which we embarked. The writer of these lines will never forget their great kindness till the end of her life.

Here a few words in regard to the troubles Mother Salesia had to endure from her beloved Mother, Sister and Brother and nearest relations. As soon as they heard of the resolution, that she intended to go to America, their anger was aroused, and in their vexation they vowed never to call on her anymore, even not to tell her farewell; never to send her a letter or message. In truth they kept their word; during the ten years she lived in Louisville she never received any tidings whatever from home. That was a great trial, but she endured it with resoluteness and energy. Now the voyage after this brief deviation. About the 9th of October, the Ariel lifted anchor, sailed for several hours in the stormy North Sea; then with full steam into the Atlantic. What a grand an imposing sight! That great and imposing sight! That great body of water, no shores to be seen! Some days everything went smooth and quiet; with the exception that most of the passengers were seasick. Once at a dinner there were only two persons present: my poor self and another aged lady; then we had plenty to eat.

In general we had no reason to complain about the fare. By and by the weather became windy and stormy and peril set in. Once in the middle of the night, there was such a dreadful shock of the steamer that we passengers thought that the ship was going to pieces, and we rushed out of our cabins and on deck to learn the reason of this terrible shock. It was found out that the mariners had, pursuing their amusements and revelries, forgotten and neglected to look to the boiler; in two minutes more the storm would have burst it, and boat, and sailors and passengers and all would have been swallowed up by the rushing and roaring waters. Again had the mighty hand of the Almighty watched over the dear life of Mother Salesia and saved her form the threatening death.

For some days the steamer had again a quiet and agreeable course. There was an anxious scream! The boat on fire! Already we saw the flames issuing from the engine room! Confusion everywhere! The excitement of the captain and officers and troubled looks of the mariners proved clearly that danger was nigh. To our greatest satisfaction and surprise the fire was smothered, and for the third time Mother Salesia escaped through the kind providence of the Lord, the peril of death, a visible proof that this noble lady had the call from Heaven above, to begin a great work in her new home of America.

A fourth danger of death was lurking - who can believe it - even in the safe harbor of New York itself. A Turkish man-of-war missed her anchorage; she rushed with such violence against our Ariel that her down laid mast broke through a louver into the steamer and careened her in such a manner, that the passengers could not walk or leave the place where they stood, there to wait for rescue. The Turks worked a long time with great caution and energy, and succeeded finally in separating the two boats, and we landed in safety, after such a turbulent and perilous voyage.

Mother Salesia had now reached America, her new home; but what was next to be done? The Dominican Sisters of Ratisbon had already founded a convent in Brooklyn; there we went, and we were received with the greatest kindness; they showed their boundless hospitality in keeping us for three days and nights, though six persons. At last we parted for Kentucky. I shall never forget the kindness of these dear Sisters.

Mother Salesia at her departure from the convent at Straubing received eighty-five Marks - $22.50; the traveling money across the Ocean was paid by the St. Louis Mission-society. With this small amount of money she had to pay the traveling expenses from New York to Louisville and build a convent. What could she do! Borrow money to commence, borrow money to continue with? In fact the high-spirited Sister did not lose courage. After her arrival in Louisville she took charge of two classes in the Parish of St. Martin, and as the year after there was an increase of two more Sisters, she was able to take two more classes. Already in spring 1859, our Mother Superior began the building of a small convent. The necessary money for it was borrowed, through the mediation of Venerable Mother Superior of Straubing, from a merchant Eggenfelden, Mr. Lammer; during the following years there came some more Sisters and Candidates from Europe, and as also some Postulants from America joined our Community, we could take charge of several more classes. In the year 1860 Mother Salesia built a schoolhouse with eight classrooms for the use of St. Martin's Congregation. The convent having been finished, Boarders were taken and the foundation began to flourish, when alas! The fatal war between North and South America broke out, and threatened to ruin the whole undertaking. As soon as it was know in Europe, Mr. Lammer demanded his money. Gold was then as high as $1.75; therefore the amount to be repaid was nearly double the sum borrowed; this was a bitter drop in Mother Salesia's cup of sorrow!

The war brought very sad consequences: schools were closed, Boarders taken home, the price of the victuals was enormous, coals were nowhere to be had. Indeed that was a vexatious and troublesome time; and already Mother Salesia was thinking to change the convent building into a hospital, when, after the two armies had come to Kentucky, peace was concluded.

The war over, Mother Salesia took the resolution to build a chapel, for she used to say: "A convent without a church is only halfwork." With boundless confidence in the Lord the building was commenced and in the course of two years, and in the tenth of her superiority, the chapel was finished.

Mother Salesia's health was never very strong, and her whole constitution delicate and weakly, so it is no wonder that the manifold cares and afflictions broke her down before time. Besides she was ready for heaven, and her heavenly Bridegroom did not delay to call his beloved spouse to the bliss prepared for her, and to crown her with the diadem she so well deserved for her heroism and her sufferings. She was not more than 36 years old when she died. Her grand funeral train gave testimony that she was greatly loved and honored also outside the cloistered walls. The Right Reverend Bishop of Louisville called her a Lady; every American knows the signification of this word.

The debts of the convent amounted at this time to $29,000.00.

No doubt the death of Mother Salesia was a great loss for the convent and Community. The whole Sisterhood was in the greatest distress and affliction and their sorrow cannot be described. They had lost their foundress, nay their spiritual Mother. They had loved her so tenderly, and their respect and veneration were boundless. For her spiritual daughters she was the accomplished model of virtue and piety. She was for all and every one an example of great zeal in prayer and punctuality. The earliest hours in the morning, as well as the latest in the evening she spent in working. Her love of children was great and to instruct them was her greatest delight; with unwavering patience and unshaken diligence, not considering the exertions and troubles of a teacher, she took charge of the highest class of girls in St. Martin's . Bitter tears did she shed, as the manifold occupations in the household no longer allowed her to continue the works of a teacher. She used to say, "In the society of children I find my joy and my delight." With energetic courage she watched that the rules and precepts of a cloistered life were observed and she herself was therein the living model. With strictness she well understood how to unite mildness and indulgence for her inferiors. The poor and needy lost in her a patroness, her spiritual daughters a beloved Mother, the Catholic Church a heroine of Faith.

And what became of the little seed cord the deceased so anxiously laid out? O, it brought many fruits; after 50 years existence, the Ursulines of Louisville number at present about 190; they own three large Convents with Boarding Schools and extensive grounds; besides they instruct in five parochial schools to the greatest satisfaction of the trustees and parents. Their general esteem and veneration is further proved through the confidence by which the Trustees of several German Parishes entrusted them with the control and surveyance of their large Orphan Asylum, which is situated at a small distance from the town. Moreover have the daughters of St. Angela in three or four States besides Kentucky parish schools to keep. In this way work is done by the Sisters to honor of the Lord and to the welfare of humanity.

May the Almighty also in future shower his richest blessing upon the seed cord with Mother Salesia has laid with numberless drops of sweat!