The mayor of Kaufbeuren, a Protestant, donated a building to
the convent. In compensation, he asked that Anna be accepted as a candidate.
Even as a Protestant, he recognized Anna’s piety and knew she would be a
benefit to the convent. She was admitted in June of 1703 and took the name
Maria Crescentia.
However, the community resented Anna’s admittance,
considering her a “parasite,” who did not financially contribute. She was treated
poorly and given the most menial tasks. She did not have a cell of her own and
has to ask other sisters to sleep in the corner of their cells.
In 1707 a new superior was elected who was more sympathetic
to Maria Crescentia. Maria Crescentia began receiving better assignments,
eventually becoming mistress of novices in 1717. She became known both in and
out of the convent for her wisdom and good advice.
In 1741 she became the mother superior. She cultivated deep
devotions in the convent, telling sisters that “God wants the monastery rich in
virtue, not in temporal goods.”
In her final years, she suffered great pain in her body,
slowly losing mobility. St. Maria Crescentia died on Easter Sunday, April 5,
1744. Her feast day is April 5, though due to Easter falling on the same day
this year, her feast is celebrated on April 6.
