Father Theodosius Florentini

Father Theodosius made study possible for Maria Anna and he nurtured in her the vision for the future

Father Theodosius was personality of the 19th Century. He was well known and highly respected, feared and loved, restlessly active to renew social works in the spirit of the Church.

He recognised and understood the signs of his time

In one of his sermons of 31st of December 1853 he spoke of the: "universal sickness of society"; namely the specific signs of the time: religious indifference, irreligiosity, lack of faith, immorality, materialism, an inner worldly humanity, a merely rational attention to the sick and the poor, the consequences of work in factories. In all these he recognised a challenge for the Church.

In the first place it should be religious who would agitate. They should walk ahead and prepare the way for the Church among the people. This they should do through Christian education.

Father Theodosius was urged on by an unheard of optimism. This optimism was grounded in an unlimited trust in God and trust in fellow-human beings.

His wide vision, his organisational talent and his tremendous personal commitment gave rise to the titles:

• Apostle of charity and social reformer
• Reformer of the Catholic Church
• Inspirer to new works of the church
• Founder of religious orders
• Reformer of elementary schools, educator of youth
• Renowned speaker and preacher
• Committed pastor, solicitor for workers