Sister M. Anna Esseling

Born: December 10, 1940
Entrance: August 15, 1962
Professed: May 3, 1965
Died: February 28, 2025

The good and faithful God, in whom she placed her trust, redeemed our

Sister M. Anna Esseling, Hospital Sister of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis.

Into your hands I commend my spirit;

You have redeemed me, O Lord, you faithful God.

Psalm 31:6

Sister M. Anna Esseling was born in Stadtlohn, Germany, where she grew up on a farm with her seven brothers and sisters. Before entering the congregation, she was trained as a housekeeper and got to know and appreciate Sister M. Helena as a ward assistant in the hospital in Stadtlohn. Through Sister M. Helena she joined our Congregation and made her first profession in the Motherhouse in Münster in 1965. This year she would have celebrated the diamond jubilee of her religious profession.

As a professed member, Sister M. Anna continued her education as a nurse, also as a geriatric nurse. She enjoyed her profession as a health care professional, but her illness did not allow her to work for long periods of time, so she was often transferred. She enjoyed working in the convent Maria-Hilf in Telgte in the refectory and at the entrance. She was very grateful for that time. Until the convent in Seppenrade was closed, she was there for ten years before moving to St. Heriburg House in Münster as a senior resident.

We know Sister M. Anna as a loving and motherly Sister who was always happy to help her fellow Sisters and to offer them a little help. In doing so, she strove to follow her patron saint, St. Mother Anna, whom she greatly admired.

It was Sister M. Anna’s wish not to be alone at the hour of death. This was granted to her.
A fellow sister sat at her deathbed and held her hand. Sister M. Anna would like to thank everyone and ask for forgiveness if she ever offended anyone.

We gratefully bid farewell to Sister M. Anna. We remember her in prayer and in the celebration of the Eucharist and remain connected to her as sisters.”