Mary Theresa von Wüllenweber was born February 19, 1833, at the family's castle of Myllendonk in Germany as the first of five daughters of Baron Theodor von Wuellenweber and his wife Elizabeth Leforte. Therese as the daughter of a Baron was well educated and trained for estate administration. Her Father and Mother were religious people who sheltered Jesuits and provided them a place to celebrate mass in the castle’s chapel.

Theresa was sent to boarding school in Liege, Belgium at the age of 15. She became familiar with two cultures, the German and the French, which may have influenced her world-wide vision as she later prepared her spiritual daughters. 

Strongly attracted to the missionary ideal, Mary Theresa wanted to consecrate herself to God as a missionary sister.  In her time, however, missionary congregations for women were just in their beginnings, and the German "Kulturkampf" barred religious foundations in her homeland.

Theresa sought ways to respond to her vocation, first in the Society of the Sacred Heart, and later as a dedicated parish helper in Brussels.  However, the urgency of her longing for an apostolic missionary commitment left her no rest.  Theresa returned to her family, searching for ways to do something to bring faith to those who lack its joys.  In 1876, she rented and later bought part of a former Benedictine Abbey at Neuwerk, Germany.  Her dream: a community of missionary sisters, a formation house for missionaries; the reality; a few orphans, charitable works, a small group of women following a common rule, though not openly because of the Kulturkampf.

Finally, a light: in 1882, at 49 years of age, Theresa met Father Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan, who, in 1881 had found the Apostolic Teaching Society in Rome.  Father Jordan's totally apostolic spirit convinced her immediately that here was the road willed for her by God.  She became a member of the Society on September 5, 1882, ready to leave all to follow the Founder's call.

On December 8, 1888, the foundation of the Sisters' branch of the Society of the Divine Savior (Salvatorians) as the Society is called today, took place in Tivoli, Italy, near Rome. Mary of the Apostles became the Community's mother and guide.

Both Founders had always wanted the center of the Congregation to be in Rome, center of the universal church.  This became a reality in 1894, and from there the Congregation has spread throughout the world.  Today the sisters are present in over 20 countries and four continents.
The foundation has been laid, and Mary of the Apostles' life task was accomplished.  She died in Rome on Christmas night, December 25, 1907.  Paul VI, declaring her Blessed on October 13, 1968, confirmed her as an exemplar and intercessor for a truly apostolic life.  
Her feast is celebrated on September 5th.

Today we are called an apostolic community, meaning that - like the Apostles - we are to share the Good News of Jesus as Savior of the World. We were not limited to any particular ministry from the beginning. The founders had the vision that through whatever ministry the Spirit inspires, the sisters could make the Savior known.  “This is eternal life: to know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ and the one whom you have sent, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3) Salvatorian sisters live their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience by living a simple life in community, sharing common prayer, and ministering throughout the world.

Prayer to
Blessed Mary of the Apostles

Blessed Mary of the Apostles,
obtain for us from God
your strong, steadfast faith,
your firm hope, your deep humility,
your unbounded charity towards all,
your heroic patience in suffering and affliction,
your burning zeal for the Kingdom of God,
your worldwide, apostolic spirit.
Pray for us,
Blessed Mary of the Apostles.