Hospital Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis

Sister M. Xaveria Maria von der Haar

✝ Saturday, October 21st 2023

When morning came, Jesus was standing on the shore. (John 21.4)

In the early morning hour, the good and faithful God called to Himself our dear Sister M. Xaveria Maria von der Haar, Hospital Sister of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis.

Born:               May 3, 1937

Entrance:        August 15, 1962

Profession:     May 3, 1965

Died:               October 21, 2023

Maria von der Haar was born in Schapen near Lingen, Germany, and grew up with eight siblings.  After leaving school, she trained as a pediatric nurse at Raphael’s Clinic in Münster and then worked as Sister Maria first in the pediatric ward of this clinic and later at the St. Elisabeth Hospital in Mettingen. It was here that she met the Franciscan Sisters of St. Mauritz. At the age of 25, she entered our congregation.

In the first years, the young Sister M. Xaveria was served in the pediatric ward of the St. Francis Hospital in Münster and then in Meerbusch-Lank, Moers, Bottrop and Ahlen. In 1988, she returned to the Motherhouse. She lovingly cared for her sisters in the refectory. Ten years later, she took over this task in Kroge, where she cared for the sisters almost to the end.

Sister M. Xaveria was a quiet and humble Sister. Her eyes were always shining. She went through life untroubled, sustained by her deep piety and her good relationship with her names patron, the Mother of God.

Some time ago, she fell ill and received a diagnosis that would soon lead to the end of her earthly life. She remained calm and entrusted herself to the Blessed Mother. She did not complain, but accepted her journey until Jesus awaited her on the morning of October 21, on the shore of new life, as it says in the Gospel of John. Sister M. Xaveria was very grateful for all the care she received and for the companionship of her fellow sisters, especially in her last days.

We want to express our gratitude for her in prayer and in the Eucharist. We continue to be united with her as sisters.

We will celebrate the Resurrection Mass for Sister M. Xaveria on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 2.30 p.m. in the convent church in Kroge; following we will accompany her to her final resting place in the cemetery of Kroge. Afterwards we can exchange our memories while having coffee together.