Dorothy Gmeinder — called home to eternity

USA, Dr. Rainer Birkenmaier. “The loving Father God could not have chosen a more beautiful day for his Dorothy.” This was the reaction to the news that Mrs. Gmeinder was called to eternity on the Feast of the Birth of Mary. The Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt, the Blessed Mother took her child into the joy of heaven after a long life that was blessed and marked by the loving dispensation of Divine Providence which also included intense, especially emotional distress.

The early encounter with Father Joseph Kentenich in 1953 became the great gift which gave new direction to her life and her marriage with Henry Gmeinder.

First Encounter

Given her natural artistic talent, she described her first encounter with Father somewhat dramatically: her marriage crisis after the birth of her first child; the urging advice from friends to see the German priest who occasionally came to Madison; the reluctance with which Dorothy went to see Father Kentenich, firmly determined not to say a word. Father Kentenich’s fatherly smile, the solicitous look in his eyes and his kind, gentle words very quickly broke the ice. She poured out all her troubles. A father’s compassion took everything into his heart and helped the couple understand each other in their differentness and the postpartum depression of the mother. This was the beginning of a long common journey over some 10 years. Weekly or sometimes after longer intervals, the Gmeinder family used to visit with Father Kentenich. A few times he also came to see them in their own home. He counseled the young couple in the education of their children (one daughter and three sons) and guided them in a deep spiritual journey in the covenant of love.

Thanking through Witness

Dorothy and Henry Gmeinder have thanked Father Kentenich for his love through their faithfulness and the witness they have given countless times over the years. Especially the couples among the Milwaukee pilgrims have been touched by their honest testimony. Father Kentenich served this family – representing many other families and individuals – with great selflessness. During his exile, Father Kentenich became the father of families.

Henry Gmeinder preserved many pictures, texts, and notes of their common years with Father Kentenich. In the light of his wife’s going home to eternity, they now tell about the great things which God worked in people through Father Kentenich during his exile.

Thank you, Dorothy Gmeinder, for sharing it with us. Thanks to the Mother Thrice Admirable of Schoenstatt, who blessed her troubled child Dorothy. Whenever people will talk about Father Kentenich’s exile, her witness must not be missing. The Blessed Mother on whose birthday Dorothy Gmeinder was called home to Eternal Love, places these words upon her lips: “HE has looked with favor on his lowly servant; blessed is she…”

Translation: Sr. M. Jean Frisk, USA