Theresia Pitzl was born December 1, 1899 in Mainburg, Brandmichle, Germany, to Jakob Pitzl and Walburga von Graksmering. As a child she attended school in Mainburg, and later, in 1920 and 1921 attended Domestig school at St. Walburg Convent in Eichstatt. Theresia was already making plans to enter the community at Eichstatt, when Sr. M. Bernard Willman from Clyde came to Germany in 1922 on one of her "vocation journeys" to invite postulants to America. She visited Theresia in her home and easily won her enthusiastic response to the invitation and adventure of coming to America to enter the community of Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Theresia entered at Clyde on August 27, 1922, made her first profession of vows February 13, 1926, and perpetual vows on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1931.

Sr. M. Felicitas lived in our monasteries in Clyde, Mundelein, Kansas City and Tucson, before moving into the St. Benedict Health Care community in St. Louis in August 1988. She is remembered for her skill and perfection in sewing, both when she was making habits for the Sisters as well as during the many years she spent in the liturgical vestment department in Mundelein. To use the talent of her hands in this way was a gift that she had offered to God, and it became a means of everyday integration of her life of prayer.

Se. M. Felicitas is remembered by her sisters for her "prayerfulness." Someone in St. Louis remarked that coming in contact with Sister made one very aware of the presence of God. The same experience, almost verbatim, was expressed by someone at Clyde. These comments make us all aware that our Sister has left us a legacy of what it means to be a Benedictine Sister of Perpetual Adoration. She obviously had developed a personal relationship with her God through the years, and it was reflected in her life. It makes one think of that little saying on a bookmark: "God shows in your face." 

Sr.M. Felicitas loved her times spent in prayer in chapel, but also enjoyed the presence and companionship of her sisters in community, always showing great interest in and concern for others. She was very devoted to her family in Germany, and missed being close to them in their times of illness or need. Our Sister had a very grateful heart, and she expressed appreciation for everything. She is also remembered for her great patience, a virtue that was put to the test in her life.

About four weeks before she died, Sister suffered a stroke that seemed to surprise her with the possible imminence of death. She decided then that she was going to die, and her longing became even more intense as she waited patiently for the coming of her Lord. On December 19, 1992, the Lord came and found her ready. The funeral liturgy was celebrated in the St. Louis monastery chapel on Monday, December 21, and on Tuesday, December 22 our Sister was laid to rest in Mt. Calvary cemetery at Clyde.

We have lived with Sr. M. Felicitas, and have loved her, and now we rejoice that her longing for heaven has been satisfied. We are grateful for her gentle, peaceful and loving presence in our community. Her name, "Felicitas" accurately describes the happiness that was behind that calm and pleasant smile, as our Sister modeled a life centered in the Eucharist as a way of living and being.