Saint Who?
Saints Who Could Read Souls
Saint Maria Crescentia Höss
Religious († 1744) Feast: April 5
Anna Höss was about four years old when she fell into an ecstasy. Her mother thought she had fallen asleep and placed her in her bed. The mystical experiences continued, and, with the help of her devout parents, Anna responded beautifully to God’s gifts.
She longed to become a Franciscan, but was refused by the local convent because she had no dowry. Finally, the mayor, a Protestant, stepped in. He persuaded the city council to buy a noisy tavern which stood by the convent and donate the property to the nuns. In return for this kindness, he asked the nuns to admit Anna. The convent proved a stunning change from her peaceful and happy home. She was humiliated and abused by the superior, who viewed Anna as a parasite. But Anna was convinced that God had called her to be exclusively his own. Nothing could persuade her to abandon her vocation. A new mother superior was appointed, and Anna made her profession, becoming Sister Maria Crescentia. Years later she became the superior herself.
Mother Crescentia guided many souls, in and out of the convent. One story tells how a priest needed help to advise a penitent. However, the sacramental seal prevented his seeking counsel. Without his asking, Crescentia received a miraculous knowledge of the situation and told him how to respond. Admired by Catholics and Protestants alike, she died in 1744 and was canonized in 2001.
Beloved Jesus, may the prayers and example of
Mother Crescentia help us to love and embrace
suffering as a precious treasure.
