Prioresses' papers

Mother Scholastica Burkhard, OSB of St. Benedict Monastery in Erie, Pennsylvania sent Sister Frances Knapp, OSB to Chicago as superior of the new community established at St. Joseph Parish in August 1861. Less than a year later, Sr. Frances returned to Erie and the community sent Mother Nepomucene Ludwig, OSB to be the prioress. Mother Nepomucene opened a novitiate and began to receive new members. When Mother Nepomucene was sent to assist other fledling Benedictine houses, Mother Antonia Herman, OSB, who had accompanied Sister Frances Knapp, OSB in 1861, was appointed Prioress and served for two years (1866-1868) before following her vocation to mission in the Dakotas. Mother Theresa Krug, OSB, who had entered as a postulant under Mother Nepomucene, was appointed Prioress in 1868 and became the first elected Prioress in 1871. She then served one term 1871-1877 and a second term 1888-1902. In the interim, 1877-1888, Mother Luitgardis Huber, OSB became the 2nd elected Prioress of the community. Mother Theresa Krug's brother, who was Abbot of the Abbey of Monte Cassino, called her to Italy to assist the Benedictine Sisters there. When the Italian Sisters surprised everyone by electing Mother Theresa as their Abbess, Mother Suitberta Vollmer, OSB became Prioress of the community in Chicago, serving 1903-1909. to be continued