Sister M. Seraphinis

Born: August 24, 1940
Entrance: February 4, 1961
Professed: October 28, 1963
Died: February 19, 2026

Suddenly and unexpectedly for all of us, , God the Lord, in whose service she had devoted her life 63 years ago, called our fellow Sister to Himself, Sister M. Seraphinis, née Anna Offterheide, Hospital Sister of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis.

“My God and my all.”

(Psalm 31:17)

Sister M. Seraphinis was born in Kirchhellen in Germany, where she got to know our Congregation. After completing her general education and the home economics school, the young Anna worked with our Sisters at the local hospital until she entered the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis in our Motherhouse in Münster.

Like all Sisters, Sister M. Seraphinis completed her nursing training. Later she took a one-year Hospital administration course at Cologne-Hohenlind. From 1966 to 1977, she worked as a nurse at St. Francis Hospital in Münster as well as in our hospitals in Cloppenburg, and in Lingen. Sister M. Seraphinis was then appointed Head of Nursing at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bremen, and later became convent superior as well.   She was also able to contribute her great professional expertise and experience to the former supervisory board of our Congregation’s Hospitals in Germany from 1998 to 2004. Her openness, her positive approach to all people, and her straightforward attitude, which grew out of her Christian faith, shaped her ministry as a Franciscan.

In 2008, Sister M. Seraphinis was once again given an important task in the Province. She was appointed the superior at St. Anna-Stift in Lohne-Kroge, a residence for our elderly Sisters. She held this position until her death, lovingly caring for our elderly and infirm Sisters. During this time, St. Anna Stift was transferred to the Zerhusen, Blömer, and Bertels families. She actively participated in this major restructuring and always supported it.

Sister M. Seraphinis’ motto was: “Give the house a soul and the soul a house.” Many people experienced this positively, and so she will remain in our fond memories. We bid her farewell with gratitude.

We remember her in our prayers and in the celebration of the Eucharist and remain united with her in our fellowship. We will celebrate the Resurrection Mass for Sister M. Seraphinis on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 2 p.m. in the Motherhouse Church in Münster. Afterwards, we will accompany her to her final resting place in the sisters’ cemetery.”