Franziska Streitel

In 1883, on the advice of her confessor, Amalia went to Rome to collaborate with Father Johann Baptist Jordan (Father Francis Mary of the Cross), founder of the Society of the Divine Savior (the Salvatorians). Together, they founded a female branch called the Sisters of Catholic Education. She took her vows there on March 18, 1883, and took the name Sister Maria Franziska vom Kreuz (Mary Frances of the Cross). However, deep differences soon appeared between her and Father Jordan regarding the rigor of the rule. Sister Mary Frances desired an extremely austere, poor, and contemplative life, while Father Jordan favored a more direct apostolic engagement. This incompatibility of visions led to their separation in 1885. On October 4, 1885, she independently founded the congregation of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother (Suore della Santissima Madre Addolorata, S.S.M.) in Rome. This institute, of Franciscan and Carmelite spirituality, was dedicated to the education of poor children, the care of the sick, and the assistance of the elderly. Under the spiritual direction of Msgr. George Jacquemin, the congregation received diocesan approval in Rome and developed rapidly in Europe and the United States. Despite the success of her foundation, the life of Mother Mary Frances was marked by heavy trials. In 1896, following misunderstandings and false accusations, she was removed from her position as Superior General. She accepted this dismissal with heroic humility, withdrawing into silence and obedience as a simple nun within her own congregation. In 1905, she was sent to Castel Sant'Elia, where she spent the last years of her life caring for children in a kindergarten and serving the poor of the region. She died on March 6, 1911, in Castel Sant'Elia. On that same day, Pope Pius X granted definitive approval to the constitutions of her congregation.

After her death, the reputation of holiness of Mother Maria Franziska of the Cross spread widely, supported by numerous testimonies regarding her virtues and graces obtained through her intercession. In 1937, the beatification process was officially opened at the initiative of Bishop Santino Margaria, Bishop of Civita Castellana, encouraged by Bishop Luigi Maria Olivares, Bishop of Sutri and Nepi. At the same time, an informative process was conducted in the Diocese of Würzburg. Both diocesan processes received formal ratification from the Congregation of Rites in 1952. The Positio on her heroic virtues was submitted to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in 2004.

On March 27, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic nature of her theological and cardinal virtues, thus conferring upon her the title of Venerable. The cause for beatification is still ongoing, awaiting the official recognition of a miracle attributed to her intercession.

The spirituality of Franziska Streitel rests on an original synthesis between the Franciscan ideal of poverty and active charity and the Carmelite ideal of silent contemplation. Her devotion is deeply centered on the mystery of the Cross and on the figure of Mary, the Mother of Sorrows (Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows), standing at the foot of the Cross. For her, the contemplation of the sufferings of Christ and his Mother must be translated into concrete and loving service to the most destitute, the sick, and children. Today, the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother continue the work of their founder throughout the world. They are present in several countries in Europe (Italy, Germany, Austria), America (United States, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago), and Africa (Tanzania), working primarily in the fields of health, education, and social assistance.