December 16, 1934 – December 3, 2025
Sr. Antonina Bauer was born on December 16, 1934, in Stadelhofen, Germany.
Her parents, Johann Baptist and Maria Bauer, had three children: Barbara, Bruno, and Melitta. She was baptized on December 17, 1934, with the name Barbara.
In her short autobiography, Sr. Antonina notes that her childhood was a happy one until the outbreak of the terrible Second World War, when her beloved father was called to military service and never returned. “My dear mother and all of us entered a hard time, which hit its peak in April 1944 when we received the sad news that my dear father was reported missing.” On May 1, 1943, she received her First Communion and Confirmation. On March 9, 1950, Holy Year, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, in the Convent of Marienburg, Abenberg, Germany.
On August 12, 1952, she was invested taking the name of Sr. M. Antonina of the Holy Ghost. She professed her first vows on August 12, 1954.
In August 1954, she was transferred to Dürrnberg, to the St. Joseph Nursing Home, to care for guests visiting the home for spa treatments.
In June 1956, she was transferred to Casa Generalizia in Rome to serve as receptionist and organist.
She professed her final vows in 1959.
From 1966, she was entrusted with the candidates entering the convent in Rome. She attended sewing classes, sacred music courses, and religious training for formators.
She was director of the postulancy, novitiate, and juniorate until 1971, when she was elected General Councilor and administrator of Casa Generalizia.
Meanwhile, Sr. Antonina’s vocation to missionary service reawakened, as she notes in her brief biography, “The desire I had during my novitiate was rekindled in me: to go to mission.” Her wish came true in 1974 when she was transferred to Goiânia, Brazil, to support the mission. There, she generously served families, young people, and many poor people.
Sr. Antonina also held positions of responsibility in Brazil, first as Regional and then as Coordinator.
In 1998, she was called back to Rome to reorganize the General Archives at Casa Generalizia.
As General Archivist, she contributed to research for the Novissima Positio Edition and the Systematic Collection of the Writings of Mother Frances Streitel. She also coordinated the first three volumes of the SSM History Project. While carrying out her duties at the Archives, she never neglected her service to the poor of Rome, who lined up in the courtyard of Casa Generalizia every Wednesday. Finally, in 2019, at the end of her service, she patiently and willingly mentored the new archivist.
During her retirement, Sr. Antonina remained a member of the Casa Tabor community and continued to be a very welcoming person. She celebrated her silver jubilee on August 12, 1979, her golden jubilee in 2004, her 60th jubilee in 2014, and her 70th jubilee in 2024, always surrounded by her sisters and loved ones.
This jubilee year of the Church also marks the 75th anniversary of Sr. Antonina’s entrance into the congregation. On November 26, due to the worsening of her heart and respiratory conditions, she was taken to the hospital. For her, this meant climbing Calvary, together with Mary, the Sorrowful Mother.
She peacefully passed away in God’s arms at dawn on December 3, the Feast of St. Francis Xavier, a devoted and passionate missionary.
Thus, her missionary heart, nurtured during her novitiate, found its full fulfillment and peace.
The homecoming was held on December 6, 2025, in the chapel of Casa Generalizia, the same chapel where she prayed and attended Mass every day.
She is now buried in the Verano Cemetery in Rome, but her spirit lives on in the joy of heaven.
Submitted by Sr. Miryam Elisa Stella