The Ehlinger family extended an invitation to the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity for some of our Sisters to represent Sister Cassiana Ehlinger at the Luxembourg Fest on August 14, 2022. The family is being specially honored this year as part of the two day celebration. His Eminence Jean-Claude Cardinal Hollerich, Cardinal/Archbishop of Luxembourg will preside at the Sunday Eucharist. The Ehlinger Family will be given recognition after the Mass.
Who was Sister Cassiana? Known as Jennie, she was born December 4, 1858 at Francis Creek, Wisconsin. Her parents were Peter Ehlinger and Johanna (Schuh) Ehlinger. Peter was born in Berg, Luxemburg in 1830. He immigrated December 27, 1853 and settled in Kossuth, Manitowoc County. On May 5, 1867 he married Johanna Schuh. They had five children. Johanna was their third child. Five days after the fifth child was born, Peter enlisted in the army, during the Civil War. A year later he was captured at Chicamauga, Georgia and imprisoned. He died a year later on October 29, 1864. He was 34 years old. Sister Cassiana’s mother was left with five children ages 2, 4, 6, 9 and 10. Eventually her mother remarried.
Johanna entered the convent in 1874 at the age of 16. In 1875 she left the convent to care for her mother. She returned in 1878 and was received into the Novitiate on September 17, 1878 and professed her vows. She taught all grades in Wisconsin and Michigan. She was very skilled in doing fancy work. The piece of hardanger pictured here was done by Sister Cassiana as a gift for her nephew Mickey and will be returned to the family and possibly loaned to the Sheboygan Historical Museum as part of the Ehlinger Collection. Sister Cassiana died a the Motherhouse on January 30, 1943 at the age of 84, professed 61 years.
Article Comments:
Placid STROIK 08/15/2022 @ 11:34 pm
Memories are so precious and life giving. thanks.