| Biography |
- Anna Maria Emma Fochs - Religious Name -- Mary Willibald
Born Wincheringen, Regbz, Trier, Germany
Work before Entrance: Domestic Work
Home Parish at Entrance: St. Alphonsus, Chicago IL
Entered Candidature: Feb 28, 1898
Received: Aug 29, 1900
Professed: July 22, 1903
Home Visits: Aug 1914
Mission Record Grades
1899As CandidateSt. Willibrord Green Bay WI1,2,3
1900As NoviceSt. Paul Chicago, IL4
St. Agnes St. Paul MN3
1903As Sister St. Agnes St. Paul MN6,7
1927Superior Holy Family Clarkston WA 6,7,8
1933Sup., Prin St. Francis De Sales St. Paul MN
1939Superior Notre Dame Convent Colton WA
1941 Motherhouse Infirmary Mankato MN
Obituary - Northwestern Province
Sister Mary Willibald Fochs
I tought upon the days of old; and I had in my mind the eternal years; and I meditated in the night with my own heart. Ps 76, 6, 7
These words of the Royal Prophet might well have been spoken by our dear Sister Mary Willibald Fochs who was found dead in bed about 3:00 o'clock in the morning on August 11, 1947. Her room-mate having heard a faint noise, hastened to Sister's bedside and found that she had just breathed her last. Several days before she had made remarks to her companion Sisters, which clearly indicated that she was thinking "upon the days of old" and "had in mind the eternal years."
Sister Mary Willibald had been suffering from a heart ailment, and the unusual heat of the summer greatly aggravated her suffering; therefore, her sudden death did not come as a complete surprise to the Superiors of the Motherhouse and to the nurses in the infirmary. Only a few days before her death, Sister had sent for one of the Assistants, since Mother Provincial M. Annunciata was not at home. When Sister M. Henrietta came to the sickroom to inquire about the needs of the dear patient, she found her rather uncomfortable, but able to sit up. Sister M. Henrietta suggested that she be moved closer to the chapel so taht she could receive Holy Communion in her room. Sister Mary Willibald replied that as long as she was able to use a wheel chair, she preferred to remain in the room where she was. Three days later we offered Holy Communion for the repose of her soul.
Sister M. Willibald, Emma Fochs, was born of exemplary Catholic parents near Treves, Germany, August 12, 1880. In 1881, the family came to America and settled on a farm near Chilton, Wisconsin. During the spring and fall emma attended our Sisters' school in Chilton, but during the winter she attended the district school. This alternation did not permit the progress the child might have made during her formative years. When she was sixteen years old, she lost her good mother. Her father married again, but the old familiar place was no longer HOME to Emma. She went to Chicago where she was employed at general housework by a Lutheran family. Before accepting this position , she had made an agreement with her employers to be permitted to attend Sunday Mass. It happened that the day after Christmas fell on a Sunday, and because of the work of cleaning up the house after this holiday, she could not attend Mass. She tells us in her autobiography that the following Saturday found her among the penitents waiting to go to Confession. One of the good old Redemptorist Fathers was in the confessional, and to him the anxious young girl told her troubles.
After putting several other questions to her, he finally asked her whether she would not like to go to the convent. She promptly answered, "No," since she had nver given her future vocation a thought. However, the question addressed to her by her confessor, remained in her mind, and she could neither eat nor sleep. Finally she informed her father that she had decided to enter the convent. He placed no obstacle in her way, and two weeks later she received the bonnet from Reverend Mother General, who at the time was visiting at St. Alphonsus. Her cup of happiness was now filled to overflowing. She was grateful to God and to those who had assisted her in following the divine Call. In August 1898, she was sent to the Milwaukee Motherhouse and the following year she was missioned to Green Bay to teach the primary grades; after another year's probation she was received into the Novitiate, August 19, 1900. With her whol heart and soul she gave herself to the service of the Lord, and was eager to prepare herself as well as possible for the work of teaching and training Christ's little ones. July 23, 1903 and July 22, 1910 mark the days of her first and her final profession.
In 1901 Sister Mary Willibald was sent to St. Agnes, St. Paul to teach the uper grades and to take charge of the alter boys. She remained at this mission twenty-six years, during which she endeared herself to the Sisters of the community as well as to her pupils. She was an adept to training boys to serve Holy Mass and had many an interesting story to relate about her experiences in this particular field of labor. The boys were greatly devoted to Sister and remembered her long after they had left school.
After Sister left St. Agnes, she labored at the following missions: Clarkston, Washington; St. Francis, St. Paul; Colton, Washington; and Madison Lake, Minnesota; at each of these missions she acted as Superior of the community and as principal of the school. Her last years were spent in the Motherhouse at Good Counsel. Whenever she was able to do so, she helped the Sisters pack altar breads; she was very conscientious about this work and loved it because it was for the Sacramental Savior. Her free moments were spent in crocheting or in doing acts of charity for others.
As a Superior Sister Mary Willibald was kind, cympathetic, and understanding, and exacting in egard to the keeping of Holy Rule. As an inferior she was loyal and devoted to her Superiors; and as a companion Sister she was considerate, appreciative, cheerful, and obliging. Wherever she was, she made herself at home and was interested in the affairs of the community and in the work of the school. In spite of poor health during the last several years of her life, she bore up bravely and accepted her lot as sent by the good Lord for a purpose of His own. Her example will long be remembered by those who lived in intimate relationship with her.
The funeral Mass was celebrated by our Reverend Chaplain, Father Alton Scheid, August 13, 1947. Sister's remains were laid to rest beside three new graves wherein were interred the remains of three dear companion Sisters who had preceded her to ther Everlasting Home within the six weeks just before the death of Sister M. Willibald. We trust that it will not be long before the four religious who were so near and so dear to one another in life, will be re-united in Heaven. RIP
Autobiography - written by Sister Mary Willibald Fochs
Born of good Catholic parents, Mathias and Elisabeth Fochs, near Treves, Germany August 12, 188. Came to America in1881 and settled near Chilton, Wisconsin. Attended our Sisters' school as long as the weather permitted. During winter, I attended the district school. Naturally my progress was far from brilliant.
I lost my good mother at sixteen. The following year brought a new mother to our house and thereafter home was not home to us any longer. I went to Chicago where I found employment with a Lutheran family in doing general housework. Before accepting the position I made an agreement to te permitted to attend Mass regularly. One Sunday, however, the day after Christmas I was obliged to clean up and could not attend. Naturally, the next Saturday found me at the confessional. Good Father Essing CSR happened to be in the confessional. After various questions he said, "Wilst du nicht in's Kloster gehen?" I answered "No" so quickly that Father said "You needn't get excited. Not all good people must to to the convent."
Before this, I had never given the convent as much as a thougt. NOw I could not get the confessor's question out of my mind. I could neither sleep nor eat. I informed my father that I was going to the convent. I begged for admittance at our Sisters at St. Alphonsus and in less than two weeks I was in the convent. I received the bonnet at St. Alphonsus from Mother General on her vistation tour. August 29, 1898 I was sent to the Mother house; August 29, 1899 I was sent on mission to Green Bay and August 29, 1900 I was received.
July 23, 1903 and July 22, 1910 respectively, mark the days of first and final vows. For 26 years I labored at St. Paul. In 1927, obedience called me to take charge of our mission in Clarkston, Washington.
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1880 - 1947 (66 years)
Has 4 ancestors but no descendants in this family tree.
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