Karoline Kaspar (1780 – 1860)

Karoline Kaspar had the reputation of an energetic woman with a masculine character. At the same time it is said about her that she was kind, had a captivating humour, was a good organiser, clear-sighted and prudent.

1801 she made her final vows. After that she taught at the convent school for girls in Freiburg. She taught primary school subjects as well as French. In 1809, at the age of 29, she was elected by her sisters as "directress and superior".

In Sr Karoline Kaspar, superior and directress of the newly established school, the three young women met "an energetic, convinced and convincing teaching sister. A woman who was stamped by the spirit of enlightenment coming from the church" (Wessenberg). A woman, who in the face of constant supervision by the state and threatened by the danger of dissolution of convent schools, had to fight repeatedly for the identity of her community.

Sr Karoline Kaspar was concerned about a religious atmosphere in her institute. She was determined to retain a conventual life-style for her sisters. She wanted well educated and dedicated teaching sisters.