Diocesan Inquiry for Sr. Antonietta Bohm, FMA, Closes

Closure of the Diocesan Inquiry 

for Servant of God Antonietta Böhm, FMA

(ANS – Cuautitlan, Mexico – April 29, 2024) – On April 28 2024 in the cathedral of San Bonaventura at Cuautitlan, Mexico, after the Mass presided over by Bishop Efrain Mendoza Cruz, the closing session was held to solemnize the conclusion of the diocesan Inquiry into the life, virtues, fame of holiness and signs of the cause of beatification and canonization of the Servant of God Antonieta Böhm, professed sister in the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. The following members of the tribunal took their oath: the bishop; Fr. Omar Nemesio Montoya Garcia, episcopal delegate; Fr. Adolfo Martinez Melo, promoter of justice; María de Lourdes Jasso Arredondo, notary; Fr. Pierluigi Cameroni, SDB, postulator general for the causes of the Saints of the Salesian Family, and the vice postulator, Sister Maria Guadalupe Chaaluvez Rodriguez, FMA.

The archetype was then delivered with the original documents to be kept in the diocesan archives, and two copies (transcript and public copy) delivered to Fr. Gabriel Cruz, SDB, a member of the Salesian General Postulation, to be passed on to the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in Rome.

In the homily Bishop Mendoza, referring to the Sunday gospel of the vine and the branches, stressed how Mother Antonietta Böhm was a living and fruitful branch united to Christ, who bore fruit and accepted the prunings of life.

Sister Phyllis Neves, general visitor and councilor of the FMAs, addressed a greeting message on behalf of the Superior General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Mother Chiara Cazzuola.

An artistic event followed as a tribute to Sister Antonietta Böhm: “Semilla de amor” (Seed of Love), performed by former students of the Laura Vicuña Educational Center, accompanied by the Effetà musical group.

Antonietta Böhm was born on September 22, 1907, in the town of Bottrop, Germany. In Essen she met the FMAs, who had arrived in Germany in 1922, and was fascinated by their serene and apostolic lifestyle. In 1926 she began her postulatancy in the house at Eschelbach and continued her novitiate in Italy at Nizza Monferrato. In 1928 she made her first profession and then remained in Italy for the study of music in Turin; in addition, she was assistant to university students in Pisa and novices in Casanova.

After her perpetual profession, which she made in Turin on August 5, 1934, she began her missionary life: first in Argentina (1934-1965), then in Peru (1965-1969) and Mexico (1969-2008). She was a music teacher, nurse, vicar, local superior, provincial. Everywhere she showed herself to be a strong woman, available to listen and always confident in the help of God and Mary Help of Christians. She consolidated the existing works and opened new ones with a view to the future.

She spent the last 30 years of her life, from 1979, in the Villa Spem community in Coacalco as vicar and then superior. These were the fruitful years of the apostolate as a spiritual guide and of social commitment to the poor. In 1973, Mother Ersilia Crugnola had given her a statue of Mary Help of Christians as a gift, and she had invited her to send her maternal blessing. At first, Sister Antonietta shielded herself and did not want to accept but, when a person who had been blessed was completely healed, her fear disappeared. Sister Antonietta said, “From the first blessing until now, our Lady works day and night, and so her mission extends through mail, fax, and email and arrives in different places in Mexico and in many other parts of the world.”

As she relyied on Mary’s help and blessing, extraordinary graces occurred. In 1985 she began the Obra Sabatina, which consisted of the distribution of food to the neediest, and until 2000 she personally followed up the entire organization. Then she calmly accepted the lack of strength and allowed herself to be treated, edifying the novices and all those who frequented the house. She died on April 27, 2008, in Coacalco, Mexico.

The testament she leaves is one of ardent love for Jesus, unlimited trust in Mary Help of Christians, welcoming kindness, and generous and serene availability to the mission for the extension of the Kingdom of God in various cultures, families and people’s hearts.