Each October, our system celebrates Mother Odilia and our system’s founding Sisters. With five dollars between them, five Sisters came to America from Germany 137 years ago to serve God and care for the poor. Over the years, many stories have been told and retold about our Sisters. My favorite legend relates to the loaves of bread we are given every year at our celebration:
One day more than 100 years ago, a man came to the convent door asking for food. The Sister in charge of the kitchen went to Mother Odilia for help. There was but one loaf of bread in the house. Was she to refuse the appeal or deprive the Sisters? Without hesitation, Mother Odilia said, “Give the man what he asks, Sister. The Lord will provide for us.” Only half convinced, the Sister obeyed. Some hours later, a child was sent by her mother to deliver a pan of freshly baked rolls to the Sisters. When the child arrived at the door, she was greeted with, “The Lord has come. You are the Lord today, little one!” Greatly surprised, the child was told the meaning of the spontaneous exclamation.
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