Home and Family
Maria Anna Heimgartner (the later Mother Bernarda) was a child like a thousand others. However, in her young years we discover experiences which are a clear preparation for her task of the future.
Home
The arguments between the liberal-radicals and the members of the conservative group were especially strong in Maria Anna’s home, the Canton Aargau. The rights of the Catholic Church were strongly limited by the Article of Baden. The eight convents in the Canton Aargau were dissolved in 1841. A large number of the population left the church and turned to the new teachings of salvation.
The parish priest of Fislisbach, the home-village of Maria Anna, refused to read out the Government proclamation of 1835 (Maria Anna was 13 years old). This proclamation attacked the church and bishops. He also refused to swear fidelity under oath which cost him a fine.
Fislisbach AG
Family
Maria Anna was born in Fislisbach on 26 November 1822. She grew up in a deeply religious family who actively participated in the life of the parish. The family was impoverished and dependent on the support of the local community. The register of the poor records about shoemaker Heimgartner: "diligent, good training of his children". 
It was a great blow for the family when the father died at the age of 48 (Maria Anna was just 14 years old). Maria Anna helped to support the family by looking after children.
One year after the death of the father a teachers' training college was opened in Lenzburg. The mother asked the local community for a loan to enable her son to do the teachers' training. Mrs Heimgartner was not afraid of the hostile attitude towards the faith in this institution which was led by liberals. This was even more surprising since it was well known how hostile the catholic population was towards the tendencies of liberalism.