Pauline’s love for the poor and those in need began at an early age. Picking up pieces of broken glass from the streets so that poor children without shoes would not cut their feet and sharing her allowance with the poor and needy were signs that this child born into an aristocratic family would not allow social status, prestige, power and wealth to deter her from serving Christ in each person, and easing the lot of those less fortunate.

Grief entered the hearts of the Mallinckrodt family when Pauline’s mother died in 1834.  Pauline was just 17 years of age and now had the responsibility for her two younger brothers, George and Hermann, and her sister Bertha. 

Also she cared for the household and servants, and accompanied her father to social gatherings and on his travels. Pauline’s unbounded love for the poor and her interminable energy on their behalf had as its source a deep and intimate union with Jesus in the Eucharist. At a time when daily reception of the Eucharist was not the norm Pauline sought and received permission for daily Holy Communion.  

In the future, when discerning whether or not to take a mission, Pauline always had as a prerequisite that the Eucharist be reserved in the convent chapel, and that the Sisters attended Holy Mass daily.  For Pauline the Eucharist was the center of her life and from there flowed her enduring love for others.

The Industrial Revolution of the 1800s had a monumental effect on the lives of the poor as their poverty intensified and the number of indigents expanded to those who once were self-sufficient.

Pauline and other women responded to Christ’s call to alleviate the conditions of the poor in Aix-la-Chapelle.  It was here that Pauline cared for the sick and the dying. Upon moving to Paderborn, Pauline continued working for the poor, but turned her attention also to the needy children ages 2-6 who had no one to care for them during the day.

The formation of a kindergarten in 1840 was Pauline’s unique idea to provide safekeeping and a nurturing environment for neglected children. Pauline’s work with the blind began in 1842 and their care proved to be the central reason for the founding of the Congregation. 

On August 21, 1849. Pauline and three other women joined together as the first Sisters of Christian Charity.  After their novitiate they pronounced their Holy Vows on November 4, 1850 in the Busdorf Church in Paderborn.  Within the next twenty years their field of activities flourished in various towns of Germany.  By 1871 the congregation numbered 244 Sisters and labored in more than 19 missions.

During Otto von Bismarck’s rise to power the Kulturkampf began to rage throughout Germany, causing many crushing events for the young community.  Religious property was seized and one school after another was closed by the government.
The work started by Pauline and her Sisters was being obliterated. The motherhouse was moved to Belgium.  Pauline’s words to her Sisters at this time were,  “The Lord gives and takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  At the same time requests from North and South America for Sisters to teach the German immigrant children came pouring in. Pauline responded by sending a small group of Sisters  to New Orleans, LA in 1873.  Within a few months Pauline sent more Sisters to the United States, and she herself made two extensive trips to the New World so as to witness first hand the needs of the people in both North and South America.  Within a short time after a provincial motherhouse and novitiate were established in Wilkes Barre, PA, the German community of the Sisters of Christian Charity was thriving in the United States

Sisters of Christian Charity Today 

Beatified by Pope John Paul II in Rome on April 14, 1985, she is now addressed as Blessed Pauline.

If you're interested in learning more about Blessed Pauline please send us an e-mail, or stop by the Motherhouse, to purchase a copy of her biography for $5.