150 YEARS OF THE NAZARETH SISTERS

In the footsteps of Blessed Frances Siedliska in Rome (34)

Sr. M. Beata Rudzińska, CSFN

Via Merulana (1877) – Tekla Lubowidzka

The Lubowidzki sisters did not come to Rome alone. At the Warsaw boarding school were their cousins, Tekla and Janina Lubowidzki. Upon hearing that they were going to Rome, they obtained permission from their parents and from Frances herself, so that they could come to Roman Nazareth for a while. Mrs. Rodziewicz did the same, sending her daughter Zosia with them. The last person was Matilda Sosinski, who gave Felicia lessons in flower arranging. Matilda had wanted to join a convent for several years, but she had no dowry, which at the time was a stumbling block in many religious orders. Frances not only allowed her to come, but still paid for her trip (Matilda was an orphan).
The 15-year-old Tekla, later Mother Laureta, who led the Congregation after the Foundress’ death, was also already thinking seriously about religious life. In her memoirs we find a description not only of her first meeting with Frances, but an interesting testimony about Frances’ life even before her arrival in Rome. Let’s cite here at least a few excerpts:
When I was still a child I often went with my parents to spend the holidays with my grandfather at Drzewica. His estate was about five miles distant from Żdżary where the Siedliskis and their daughter Frances lived. There I often heard my relatives speak of the young girl whose parents they pitied because she refused to marry. Despite her goodness and intelligence, she wished to lead the holy life of a soul separated from the world.
When I was twelve years old I fell seriously ill and had to remain abed for a long time. My mother then engaged the services of a young lady to help me. She was a good and religious person who had fulfilled the same charge in the Siedliski family. I was very glad to hear all she was able to tell me about Frances Siedliska: her angelic life, her gentleness and patience in time of illness and her piety and consideration for those who waited on her. Hearing this I began to be more attracted than ever to Frances and, though I did not know her personally, I loved and venerated her as a saint.
Three years later in 1877, I was at Warsaw, visiting the home of my cousins, the Lubowidzkis. There I learned that God had called my three cousins to the religious life in the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth, whose foundress was this very same Frances Siedliska. I was then fifteen years old and had already made up my mind to become a religious. When I learned of the little Nazareth that had been just founded, and of her whose inspiration it was. All the attraction and love I had had for Frances now revived. I wrote to her at once, begging her to received me among the number of her daughters. She replied that if my parents consented, I could join my cousins and come to Rome where God would revealed His will to me. After considerable hesitation, my parents permitted me to leave for Rome, not that I might become a religious, but that I might profit from the Italian climate which they hoped might strengthen my delicate health. I shall never forget the impression made upon my mind at first sight of our Mother. As I entered her cell it seems to me that I was approaching a saint. Her pose, her voice, her gentle and simple words, her whole person, was marked with supernatural zeal which attracted me and those who came into her presence, though for but a few minutes. I had not seen anyone act in a similar way before, nor have I ever reacted to anyone else in that manner. (cyt. za Ricciardi, His will alone, p. 110)
These memoirs were written many years later. Despite the passage of time and the many responsibilities that fell on the later Sr. Laureta, one can still hear the young Tekla’s admiration in them.

Pictures – CSFN Archives:
Tekla Lubowidzka with her family
M. Laureta as Superior General of the Congregation of the Nazareth Sisters, 1933