Alphonse-Marie Eppinger
Elisabeth Eppinger (Mother Alphonse-Marie) is the foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Most Holy Saviour, dedicated to the care of the poor and the sick.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
5 reading sections
Biography
Youth, fragile health, and early mystical experiences of Elisabeth Eppinger in Niederbronn-les-Bains.
Elisabeth Eppinger was born on September 9, 1814, in Niederbronn-les-Bains, into a family of modest farmers. The eldest of eleven children, she grew up in poverty and suffered from fragile health, which fostered an intense inner life. In 1846, she began to experience mystical ecstasies and visions of Christ, becoming known as the "ecstatic of Niederbronn." Her parish priest, Father Jean-David Reichard, and the Bishop of Strasbourg, Mgr. Andreas Raess, recognized the authenticity of her spiritual life.
Life and Work
Foundation of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Most Holy Saviour and expansion of the work.
On August 28, 1849, Elisabeth founded the Congregation of the Daughters of the Divine Redeemer (Sisters of the Most Holy Saviour) to care for the sick and assist the poor. She took the name Sister Alphonse-Marie. The community developed rapidly, transferring its novitiate to the castle of Oberbronn in 1857. Despite painful schisms that gave rise to other branches, she guided the institute until her death on July 31, 1867.
Path to holiness
The beatification process and the recognition of heroic virtues.
The reputation for holiness of Mother Alphonse-Marie Eppinger endured after her death. The diocesan informative process opened in Strasbourg in 1951. The cause was officially relaunched in 2005 by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. On December 19, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI promulgated the decree recognizing the heroic nature of her virtues, declaring her Venerable.
Beatification and canonization
Recognition of the miracle and beatification ceremony in Strasbourg.
A miracle was recognized on January 26, 2018, by Pope Francis, concerning the unexplained healing of a seriously ill woman in 1955 in Mulhouse after a novena and the imposition of a relic. The beatification ceremony was celebrated on September 9, 2018, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg, presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu.
Spirituality and legacy
Christocentric spirituality and the endurance of her work throughout the world.
The spirituality of Alphonse-Marie Eppinger is centered on the Passion of Christ and the salvation of souls. Her legacy continues today through the Sisters of the Most Holy Saviour and the branches resulting from the schisms, which continue their mission of assisting the most destitute in Europe, Africa, India, and Latin America.
Frequently asked questions about Alphonse-Marie Eppinger
Who was Alphonse-Marie Eppinger?
Elisabeth Eppinger (Mother Alphonse-Marie) is the foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Most Holy Saviour, dedicated to the care of the poor and the sick.
Which saints were contemporaries of Alphonse-Marie Eppinger?
Contemporaries include: Jesús María Echavarría Aguirre, Pauline of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus, Narcisa de Jesús and Juan de Jesús López y González.
When did Alphonse-Marie Eppinger die?
Alphonse-Marie Eppinger died around 1867.
What are the other names of Alphonse-Marie Eppinger?
Other forms of the name: Élisabeth Eppinger, Sœur Alphonse-Marie and Mère Alphonse-Marie.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Era / death: 1867
- Beatification in 2018 by Francis