Veronica Eichenhofer was born in a small Catholic farming town in Baden, Germany on Oct. 24, 1882, a few hours before the birth of her twin sister, Josephine. They were the eldest of a family of seventeen children - a very closely knit family, who "worked together and prayed together." Their mother's inspiration and example instilled a deep love for the Holy Eucharist in her children, so that seven of the eight girls were drawn to the vocation of perpetual adoration and two of the boys became priests.

In 1893 her two oldest brothers, Thomas and Hugo, went to America at the invitation of Father Gregory Huegle, O.S.B. and became Brothers of Conception Abbey. (Eventually, Thomas was ordained as a member of the Congregation of the Precious Blood in Ohio and Hugo became a diocesan priest, but later in life he also joined the Precious Blood Fathers.) While Brothers at Conception, their letters home told of the Perpetual Adoration convent nearby, and at the age of nineteen Veronica felt convinced that God wished her to become a member of this community. Though the sacrifice was most painful, her parents gave their consent and cooperated heroically. Her departure from home was a heart-breaking experience, with small brothers and sisters clinging to her and weeping, as she had been a second mother to them. But Sister set herself resolutely to the fulfillment of what she believed to be God's will for her. 

She was received as a postulant at Clyde on Oct. 2, 1902 and invested on Apr. 21, 1903. She made her first profession of vows on May 26, 1904, receiving the name of Hildegard. Perpetual vows were made on Jan. 18, 1913. She received Consecration of Virgins in November 1952, and celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 1954.

The words of the psalmist: "After her shall virgins be brought to the King," were literally fulfilled in Sister M. Hildegard, for six of her seven Sisters followed her to Clyde, one after another, and became members of the community as Sisters M. Walburga, Wunibalda, Willibalda, Leona and Eusebia. Another brother, Severin, served the Clyde convent faithfully as a farm laborer for many years. After a holy life, he died at the hospital in Maryville a few days before Sister M. Hildegard’s death.

Well trained in all the domestic arts, Sister was a good cook and had charge of the Clyde kitchen for many years. She was exacting with those who worked under her, insisting that everything be done as perfectly as possible. Sister also gave valuable help in sewing. But it was especially in caring for the large herd of Holstein cows and supervising the work at the dairy barn that she served the Clyde community for many years. She likewise had charge of the orchard and the bees, providing fruit and honey in abundance. This work demanded many sacrifices and long hours of labor which Sister gave generously.

Sister M. Hildegard spent some years at Mundelein, where she was cook part of the time, and helped with other household duties. She was also a member of the Kansas City priory for a few years, and as gardener provided the community with fresh fruit and vegetables.

Sister M. Hildegard was a woman of strong faith, resolute purpose and fidelity to duty. She was a devoted adorer, loved the Mass and the Divine Office, and offered many prayers and sacrifices for priests. She was afflicted with heart trouble - and for the last year or so was confined to the infirmary. A heart attack in the early morning of Feb.14, 1957 claimed her as God's "valentine" and ended her life at the age of seventy-five years.