I have watched with great interest the happenings of the Dicastery of the Causes of Saints in anticipation that a current Servant of God will be advanced and named Venerable. As I’ve kept my eye to news from Rome, I’ve learned that two new Venerables connected to the United States have been advanced: Servant of God Fr. Edward Flanagan, founder of Boys Town in Nebraska, and a Carmelite Sister. I was aware of Fr. Flanagan’s cause, not only because of his heroic priesthood but because of a documentary produced by Spirit Juice that was in theaters sometime in the past few years and is now widely available. The Carmelite sister, however, I had never heard of, and I would bet a lot of saint-making enthusiasts were surprised by the Venerable announcement.
On April 27, 2026, the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints announced that four Servants of God had been declared to have heroic virtue and now were to be called Venerable. One is the Carmelite nun Maria Teresa of the Most Holy Trinity. Venerable Teresa was born in the Netherlands and entered the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus, an apostolic Carmelite community—not a cloistered community. She volunteered as a missionary to the United States and, on December 5, 1919, the ship heading to America departed, first landing in New York. She would take up residence at the various Carmelite houses in East Chicago, Kenosha, Wauwatosa, and, finally, St. Charles, Missouri.
A friend of mine, Brian O’Neel of Saintstombs.com alerted me to the announcement of the new venerable and tipped me off that she was buried in Wisconsin. This caught me by surprise. I pride myself on knowing about all the saints-in-the-making from Wisconsin. I have visited their graves and seek their intercession often. How could Sr. Teresa have escaped my notice?
I began a cursory online search about the new venerable and was left baffled. She died in Missouri. Why would she be buried in Wisconsin? I reached out to the nuns in Missouri and was told she was buried in Wisconsin. I automatically assumed she was buried on the monastery grounds, even though they had written me that she was in a Catholic cemetery in Milwaukee; I had missed that in my quick reading of the email.
I made my pilgrimage to find her grave at Holy Cross Cemetery in Milwaukee. The cemetery has over 133,000 graves according to Findagrave.com. How was I going to find a needle in the haystack? I drove around for hours hoping to find the religious order section. As I was finally going to give up until the next day, I planned to stop at the cemetery office. I made one more stop first—the crucifixion scene. Immediately to the left of it was the order, and there was the simple and humble grave of Venerable Teresa of the Holy Trinity.
Venerable Who? A Carmelite?
I have now familiarized myself with Sr. Teresa’s story. Immediately, we encounter a problem. How should we spell her name? The Dicastery’s announcement spelled her name “Teresa.” In this essay, I will use Teresa given that usage by the Vatican. Various literature spells her name differently. There are two biographies I have read about her—one a short-form, 53-page booklet, the other a long-form biography totaling 120 pages. Here are the iterations of her name:
- Short form biography: Sr. M. Teresia
- Long form biography: Sr. M. Therese
- Prayer card: Sr. M. Teresa; citing her birth name as Theresia.
- Her gravestone: Sr. M Theresa
- A website of the congregation: Sr. M. Theresia (see here)
God knows her name, and if you know who it is that you are calling upon for intercessory prayer, certainly the spelling of her name will not matter.
Sr. Teresa is one of the many saintly flowers of Carmel. The Discalced Carmelites are probably the most popular or well-known order of Carmelites, followed by the O.Carm., but there are other various branches of the Carmelites, such as the Carmelites for the Aged and Infirm, the Carmelites of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus. It is to the latter congregation that Sr. Teresa belonged, a community founded by Blessed Teresa of St. Joseph.
Childhood Grief
Venerable Teresa will be a saint that can inspire people who are grieving and mourning. She lost her father when she was only nine years old. Her father had been injured at work, losing his thumb, and blood poisoning set in, leaving her father at death’s door and not much longer for the world. Teresa learned how to grieve alongside her mother and siblings, certainly praying traditional prayers for his soul, having Masses offered, and vising his grave at Ochtrup. Teresa knew and understood loss and can be a saintly companion especially for young people who face similar tragic deaths in their life and for all who grieve.
A Saint for Vocational Discernment
There tend to be certain, privileged souls for whom it becomes apparent—not only to them but to the rest of the world—that God has called them to service in the Church. Teresa always had a deep and mature love of her faith and, quite naturally, desired to be a religious sister.
With the death of her father, Teresa helped her mother in the affairs of the home. For a time, an uncle would fill the void of a father. Eventually, her mother would marry, and Teresa would have a stepfather, making her relatable in yet another way to people, especially youth, today.
The stepfather loved Teresa as if she were his flesh and blood. When Teresa began raising the possibility of a religious vocation, the stepfather deterred her because he could not bear the separation of her from the family. He discouraged her at many points in this discernment.
Teresa kept her deep desire for religious life a secret because she did not want to sadden her stepfather (Long-form biography, 45). Soon, after a neighbor challenged his position, the stepfather’s mind would be changed and his heart open to this reality. “I would not act like this if I were in your place. If one of my children had a religious vocation, I should consider myself blessed and would give my consent at once,” the neighbor said to him (Short-form biography, 17).
Having gained the permission of her stepfather, Teresa sought the counsel of her confessor, who advised her to wait one more year and then enter. Teresa did just that. She entered St. Anne’s Convent in Tilburg on October 2, 1917.
In a time when parents object to priestly or religious vocations, Venerable Teresa’s story can give them hope that parents will eventually come around and accept one’s vocation. Venerable Teresa certainly could be an intercessor for someone encountering familial difficulties in their vocational discernment.
Venerable Teresa certainly could be an intercessor for someone encountering familial difficulties in their vocational discernment.Tweet ThisA Saint Who Suffered
A name given to Venerable Teresa, and the very title of her biographies, was “Passion Flower.” The Carmelite monasteries, or the order of Carmel in general, was seen as a beautiful garden—one of the meanings of Carmel; and in that garden are many flowers. Many have commented on and seen a connection between St. Therese of Lisieux and Venerable Teresa of the Most Holy Trinity. As one religious sister and saint—Therese—died (September 30, 1897), a future Carmelite and hopeful saint was being born—Sr. M. Teresa of the Most Holy Trinity (born November 13, 1897). Therese, a white flower, who promised to rain down roses. Teresa a passion flower. Both sisters suffered greatly—Therese from the debilitating effects of tuberculosis, Teresa from a kidney disease.
Teresa suffered ill health throughout her life. After entering the convent and having a short bout with an illness, she was deemed healthy enough to journey to the United States as a missionary. Her life in the United States would soon be afflicted with ill health. Doctors were uncertain of her ailment and often recommended a change of environment, moving from a city with much pollution to a community with a healthier outdoor environment.
As Christmas approached in 1925, her fellow sisters believed she would celebrate the Lord’s nativity in Heaven. She endured though, and in 1926 she was taken to the hospital for further diagnosis. There it was discovered that one kidney was completely gone and another terribly infected. What she had endured and what was to come would be described as her long martyrdom. Teresa had some good days and other bad days. She tried to walk each day to the chapel until she was completely bedridden.
Previous Lenten seasons gave Teresa a deep insight into suffering and allowed her to unite her pain to the Lord. She prayed quite beautifully, “Oh dear Saviour, in union with the love with which Thou didst offer up all Thy sufferings to Thy Heavenly Father, I offer up to Him this pain” (Long-form, 102). Venerable Teresa can be a witness of suffering for those who are sick, offering them a model they can follow.
Inspiring Mottos from Venerable Teresa
Two beautiful statements, which I will call mottos, of Venerable Teresa were repeated throughout the biographies. One statement was uttered from her youth and throughout her time in the convent. It is a statement that indicates a deep trust in the Lord, His plans, and intention in what she does: “All for our dear Lord.” This motto gave purpose to her suffering and what she endured, living her entire life in complete surrender to the dear Lord, giving Him her all.
Another motto she stated often was “How good God is.” If someone praised or thanked her, Teresa would turn the attention to God and His goodness. Even in her suffering, she declared the goodness of God because, in her suffering, she saw a path of prayer, penance, and reparation. It would serve us well to repeat these phrases and make them our own.
Devotion to the Eucharist and Our Lady
From her childhood onward, this saintly sister was formed in holiness by the Eucharistic Lord and Our Lady. More is known about her Eucharistic devotion before she entered the convent, and her biography notes the progression of Marian devotion while in the monastery. At a very young age, the tabernacle was pointed out to Teresa, and from that moment her eyes would beam toward and before the tabernacle.
She spent countless hours of her life praying before the Eucharistic Lord, where she was formed by Him to be His bride. She found stillness in the sanctuary of the Church and obtained many graces in prayer before the tabernacle. Her First Communion, on May 19, 1909, was a profound moment of intimacy with the Lord. At many times in her life, she was fortified by her Holy Communions—while on board the ship to the United States, in the convent, and at the end of her life.
As a Carmelite, Teresa drew close to the Queen of Carmel. Their day as religious began with the singing of the Salve Regina, a way in which they placed themselves under the intercession and patronage of Our Lady. Teresa found comfort in Our Lady’s many titles, such as Mother of Mercy and Refuge of Sinners, two titles used in letters she wrote, and Star of the Sea, while on the boat to America and amid tumultuous waters. Her first vows were taken on July 2, at that time the feast of the Visitation. On that day, Teresa allowed Mary’s Magnificat to become her own.
On November 14, 1920, the feast of All Carmelite saints—and the day after her birthday—Sr. Teresa joined the other nuns in consecrating themselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Long-form, 91-92). Finally, much like her patron in name, Sr. Teresa found comfort while sick from a statue of Our Lady that was in her room. St. Therese received a miraculous smile and healing, while Sr. Teresa received the grace of consolation by being able to look upon an image of her heavenly mother.
Eucharistic and Marian devotion are hallmarks in the lives of the saints. The devotion of Sr. Teresa is comparable to so many who have lived the Christian life. Her example offers encouragement for all to seek out the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament as often as we can and to turn to Our Lady each day.
Holy Advice
Teresa wrote letters to her family back in the Netherlands. The letters were deeply appreciated by her mother, who treasured them until the day she died. In the letters, Teresa would write a sentence or two to her siblings, cousins, etc. In one of her final letters, she offered holy advice to them. Now, as we receive that same advice, it encourages us too. The following advice is worth heeding:
- Give your heart entirely to Jesus and you will find true peace.
- Pray especially to the Holy Spirit for Enlightenment, and hide in the heart of Jesus.
- Remember, the dear Lord hears and sees all things.
- See that you do not offend the dear, Heavenly Father, nor the guardian angel.
- Pray often and devoutly, for such a prayer is always heard. (Long-form, 102)
This saintly wisdom is imparted like that of a mother to her children, evidence of her desire for their spiritual well-being.
One other observation from the life of Teresa is worth noting—how her fellow sisters perceived her. Especially moving to me was the statement that she “never judged or criticized others” (Long-form, 67). The lives of saintly men and women speak to us and call us to live differently. It makes me realize how far I am from the saints by my own faults. But their shining example gives me something to strive toward, so that one day, others might say of me, “he never judged or criticized others.” On that front, I have a long way to go. Her example can inspire us to saintliness in our thoughts, words, and actions.
Mystical Visions
Venerable Teresa was not a mystical visionary like some of the great mystics with ongoing revelations spanning years. It does seem that she was favored with certain mystical graces specifically. For example, she saw her guardian angel on one occasion, as her biography notes her quickly saying to a schoolmate, “there stands my guardian angel” (Long-form, 31). [This casual mention brings to mind a different visionary, Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, who saw her Guardian Angel in her youth and believed it was a common occurrence for all people and was surprise to learn that it was a special gift.] Another time, an angel communicated the age at which Teresa would die. As the angel stood at the blackboard and wrote numbers summing up to 28 (Long-form, 105).
Saintly Devotion in Her Life
As mentioned before, Venerable Teresa was born on November 13, the day before the feast day of All Carmelite Saints. She received baptism on that same day and would one day join the order; hopefully, one day she will be celebrated among their saintly flowers.
Teresa suffered failing eyesight as a child. In response to her condition, Teresa’s mother made haste to the local parish church and there beseeched the intercession of St. Anthony for the restoration of her eyesight (Long-form, 19). The petitioned grace was received, and Teresa’s eyesight was restored. It is interesting to note that some of the graces received through Teresa’s intercession have related to the senses, such as eyesight or hearing.
In her youth, Teresa joined a society at the parish called the “Saint Litwina Society.” The biography notes that it was a society for “young girls who made their living in the textile mills” (Long-form, 43). Though St. Litwina is not a common saint name or devotion throughout the world, she is popular in the Netherlands. She was a mystic and is the patron saint of the town of Schiedam, chronic pain, and ice skating.
Another saint whom Teresa invoked was St. Gerard Majella, who apparently is a popular saint in Holland. His patronage is of expectant mothers, but Teresa asked him to intercede for her vocation. Her devotion was expressed by participating in the annual procession to the village of Overdinkel, where the saint is honored. Teresa meditated on his life and drew strength to persevere in striving to become a saint herself.
Before entering the convent, Teresa received a picture of St. Rose of Lima. For a long time, she mistakenly thought was it was St. Therese (Long-form, 50). Teresa’s biographer commented that Teresa executed the motto of Rose of Lima in her life: “The hands on earth, but the heart with God” (Long-form, 67). As one of the patron saints of the Americas, St. Rose of Lima would inspire this future missionary sister to America. Another saint of admiration was St. Nicholas, celebrated by Teresa and her family each year. References to St. Nicholas are found in her letters.
Not surprisingly, Teresa and the Carmelite convents began fostering a devotion to St. Therese of Lisieux. St. Therese was canonized May 17, 1925, during Teresa’s lifetime. The convent prayed a novena to St. Therese for Sr. Teresa, asking for her healing (Long-form, 105). Teresa was instructed to pray before the altar of St. Therese in the convent chapel, of which there is photographic documentation. While the superior believed a miracle would be obtained, Sr. Teresa intuited the heavenly response: “You will never be well again; you will live only a short time, but must suffer much” (Long-form, 105). Many holy men and women have received just such a message—for example, Our Lady’s message to St. Bernadette regarding happiness.
As a faithful and devoted Catholic, saintly devotion, admiration, intercession, and imitation comprised her spiritual life. Just as the saints formed her, now we are formed by her word and example as her path to sainthood continues to be advanced.
Did Sr. Teresa Bypass Purgatory?
The Church’s process to beatification and canonization seeks to declare that, after living a holy life on earth, the individual is now with God in Heaven. The efficacy of intercession manifested through miraculous graces received confirms their place in Heaven. Many graces have been received through her intercession and with the use of relics from her life (such as her habit).
In this life, one cannot know definitively if a person bypassed Purgatory. There has been some discussion on the matter regarding other holy souls.1 Sr. Teresa herself believed that Purgatory may not be for her when she said, “I won’t go to purgatory. I have to suffer so much on earth that it will be my purgatory…. I feel that God will give me this grace through the intercession of our holy mother Theresa” (Long-form, 104).
Others around, like her superior, apparently believed this proposition. On her death bed, Teresa asked the superior, “What will happen to me today?” The superior replied, “The dear Lord will take you to Heaven” (Long-form, 108). Such a statement could have been said to encourage the young sister in her final hours. A more precise statement would have been, “You will see God.” This is true, since in death we see God and stand before His judgment. A statement along this line would have allowed for the possibility of Purgatory; the superior, however, spoke of Heaven.
After her death, signs already happened indicating that Teresa was at home with God in Heaven. A miraculous odor of flowers was smelled in many of the monasteries on the day of her death. Not long after her death, a fellow sister reported that Sr. Teresa appeared to her and told her she was in Heaven (Long-form, 110). Heaven is our lifelong goal. Most souls need Purgatory. But perhaps, in the case of a few chosen souls, their long martyrdom of suffering on earth quickened their entry into Paradise. And maybe Sr. Teresa was one of those privileged few.
Hidden Flower
Sr. M. Teresa of the Most Holy Trinity rightly could be called a “hidden flower” of Carmel, as her biography notes on numerous occasions—hidden so much that, to most in the Church, little was known about her at the time she was pronounced Venerable. Her grave is hidden in a massive Milwaukee cemetery. She has been hidden for a time. But now, no more.
From what I gather, the Carmelites of the Divine Heart of Jesus in Kirkwood, Missouri, are preparing a shrine for this hidden, forgotten, and overlooked passion flower of Carmel, so that she no longer will be hidden, forgotten, and overlooked. Instead, she will be found, remembered, and sought.
When I departed from her grave on May 4, I left believing that I had made a new saintly friend. Hopefully now, after having learned about this Passion Flower of Carmel, you might feel the same, gaining not only a new friend but also an intercessor.
Don’t hesitate to ask her intercession. And if you find yourself in Milwaukee before she is exhumed and transferred, you may wish to visit and pray at her grave. Exact GPS Coordinates: 43°4′35″ N 88°0′2″ W. Here, too, is a video on how to find her grave.
God, our heavenly Father, You filled Sr. M. Theresia of the Most Holy Trinity with a great love for the Sacred Heart and for Mary, the Mother of God. Out of love for You, she courageously bore great and painful suffering and saw Your love in this.
Through her intercession help us courageously to bear the adversities of life and hear us in our need…
We ask that You glorify Your true servant here on earth as we hope that You have already glorified her in Heaven. Amen.
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