“Our paths are Mysteries of the Divine Providence, which guides us according to its will, even if we do not understand it,” said Mother M. Clara Pfänder.

Upon the passing of Sister M. Robertis FCJM:

Yes, our paths are Mysteries of the Divine Providence, which guides us according to its will, even if we do not understand it. These words of our foundress were the guideline for the long and exciting life of our Sister M. Robertis.

She was born on July 23, 1926, as the first child of Berta and Robert Schneider, in Achthuben, a district of Neustadt, in Silesia. She attended elementary school there for eight years and then worked on her parents’ farm before being expelled to the west with her younger sister. This forced escape had a profound effect on her. It was unclear where the train transport would take her and her younger sister. Sister M. Robertis instinctively sensed that this path would not lead her to a good future. So, she jumped off the moving train with her sister. She wasn’t certain that everything would be all right, but she knew that she was accompanied by God. With this trust, the two sisters continued their journey.

After enduring many dangerous trials, they arrived in Dortmund Kirchlinde in 1946. There, Sister M. Robertis met our Sisters at the hospital, and her long-cherished wish to become a sister began to take shape. The parish priest who accompanied her described her as a conscientious and deeply religious young woman who often attended Mass before going to work in the morning. Sister M. Robertis entered our congregation on March 11, 1947; was invested on November 19, 1947; and made her perpetual vows to God in our community in 1952.

She was trained as a nurse at the hospital in Iserlohn and then worked in various communities, such as those in Birkesdorf, Lütgendortmund, Mechernich, Salzkotten, and Schwerte. She was praised everywhere for her cheerful, humorous, and down-to-earth demeanour. Divine Providence then led her into caring for the elderly. As early as 1952, she moved to Niederzier and Iserlohn to provide outpatient nursing care. From 1980 onward, she cared for the elderly in various retirement homes. Sister M. Robertis devoted herself wholeheartedly to this service. She completed additional training to fulfil this task even better. Training is one thing, but what distinguished Sister M. Robertis was her talent and dedication to assisting the elderly, especially the dying. She did this not just 100%, but 180%, with complete dedication and in an exemplary manner. It was her specialty, so to speak, and she was loyal, discreet, loving, and reverent toward those entrusted to her care.

After her active service as a nurse, Sister M. Robert put her skills to good use at the retirement home in Marialinden, where she worked as a receptionist. With her calm and cheerful nature, she helped many visitors, answered countless phone calls, and arranged contacts with relatives, visitors, doctors, and other professionals. Sister M. Robertis was always a calming influence. She helped shape not only the community in Marialinden but also the motherhouse community here in Salzkotten.

When walking became difficult and her strength waned, she moved to the area “St. Elisabeth” of our St. Clara retirement home.

In the last few months, her strength declined noticeably again. This was not easy for her, but she walked this path with deep trust in Divine Providence. She was overjoyed to hear from her nephew Hubert, and it seemed as if she had been waiting for him. Shortly after his visit, she peacefully passed away. We are certain that she now fully recognizes and understands the Mysteries of Divine Providence and God’s guidance in her life.

Written by Sister M. Johanna Harke FCJM