Inside the Vatican City, in the graveyard of the Teutonic College, one can pray before the tomb of this saint. Mother Pascalina was the housekeeper of Cardinal Pacelli/Pope Pius XII for many years.
In Rome one hears great stories about her from those who were around here between 1939 - 1958 and it's great to see a new "fan page" for her on Facebook.
I cordially invite you to become a fan of Mother Pascalina - Je vous invite cordialement à devenir fan de la Mère Pascalina - La invito cordialmente a diventare fan di Madre Pasqualina - Te invito cordialmente a convertirte en fan de la Madre Pascualina - Você está cordialmente convidado a tornar-se fã da Mãe Pasqualina.
12 comments:
Shouldn't it be "pApessa"? Have you read her book about Pius XII? I really admire pope Pius tremendously, and am praying daily for his elevation to the altars, but the style of that book is simply too much for me. Nevertheless, she must have been a great woman, and exactly the right support for Pius. Cardinal Ratzinger celebrated the Seelenamt on her tenth anniversary in 1993.
I knew Mother Pascalina during my seminary years in Rome; I visited with her just a few months before her death. And I had the privilege of serving her funeral Mass. The American book, "the Popessa," WAS NOT WRITTEN BY HER. her own book, "I Had the Honour to Serve Him," was written in German and translated into Italian and (I believe) French. It is a very different book from the "as-told-to" volume that appeared in the US. I believe that she threatened legal action against the author, but died before it could be furthered.
Mother Pascalina was an extraordinary woman. During the War, she did oversee many relief efforts and the hiding of many Jewish families, resistance fighters, and allied soldiers in convents, monasteries and seminaries throughout Rome. One of her helpers was the future Cardinal Palazzini. She gave over 90 hours of testimony for Pius XII's beatification. She was indeed a woman strong opinions and of even greater loyalty to the Pontiff and to the Church.
What is the name of page in Facebook on Sr. Pascalina Lehnert?
I saw pictures of Mother Pascalina and her nuns (early 1950's). The habit was very impressive.
Sad to know that her Order has declined by literally the thousands since Vatican II,are mostly very aged, and today the sisters wear layclothes ( gee, what a surprise).
How amazing to have the Fr. who served at her funeral Mass write on here! If he comes back, it would be fascinating to know something about his impressions of it. Were there any special graces felt? Where was the Funeral Mass held? I had just taken out my copy of La Popessa around that day, thinking how truly great a Nun and helper to the Holy Pontiff she was.
I would like to know WHY she felt "La Popessa" was way off?
I recall it depicted her as not Marian at all in her devotion. That seemed to be the only real flaw I could detect in her spiritual makeup. I would love to hear any and all memories of her from Fr Horgan, let's hope he graces this column with his presence once again.
I am glad then-Cardinal Ratzinger commemorated her [what is a Seelenamt, though?!], which is natural for his fellow Bavarian. However, she might just as easily have been relegated to the dusty archives.
Yes, it's "la papessa" in italia or more "the popessa" in gli stati uniti.
Interesting words from Fr. Horgan. Photos of her seem to be really rare so let me know if you have ay to scan and send (for her Facebook fan page), etc.
On Facebook, it's one of My Pages and it's called Pascalina Lehnert. We need more photos for it so send them if anybody has any (thanks!)...
I don't know if Fr Horgan's comment about the book was referring to mine, but the book I read and meant was actually "Ich durfte Ihm dienen".
Poper Pius was the Pope that as a young child I came to know very well. As children we were in awe of him, and now as an adult, more so. Facts that were never revealed before have been made known. Sr.Pascalina must have been of great asset to His Holiness. Her witness of events inherent of the times is of major significance. Judgement of events will be left to the historians, but her eyewitnessing will support the Church's stance on this dearly loved Pope. It is also nice to see another Bavarian in the Holy See. May God Bless Him.
I am writing a dissertation on Pope Pius and would like to know if I should disregard references apportioned to La Popessa in Gerard Noel's book, the Hound of Hitler. If Fr Horgan could advise me I would be very grateful.
With love in Christ
Susan
I think "seelenamt" means "requiem" in German.
Susan, by all means disregard Noel's book and read the German original of Pascalina. Moreover, read the ok german biography of her - which appeared in 2007.
A church historian with PHD
German TV (ZDF) is sending a film about Sr.Pascalina on 22.04 2011 and
23.04.2011.
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