STEARNS COUNTY MINNESOTA BIOGRAPHIES
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File contributed for use in Stearns County Biographies by
Name: Nikki Abbott
Email: mnqa@aol.com
Date: ?
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CATHERINE MAUS HANSEN
    
    Catherine married Hubert Hansen in Jan 1856 in the town of
    Luxemburg, MN. at St. Wendelin's church. Catherine was a
    woman of great faith and determination. When her son John,
    (Bonaventure) was ill with the disease called "St. Vitus'
    Dance", she would not accept this condition that would
    eventually lead to death. She was a 40 year old mother of
    eleven children (40 was considered old in that day). She
    decided to make a 30 mile pilgrimage (15 miles each way), to
    gain Divine help in the healing of her son.  Her destination
    was the "Grasshopper Chapel" in Cold Springs, MN. This is a
    chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary after a petition was
    sent to the Mother of God asking for help in a devastating
    grasshopper plague. It was and is a site well known for
    miraculous cures of all kinds. 
    
    On a cold November day she set out barefooted, fasting
    and praying with one of her older sons, Henry. She arrived
    in Cold Springs by night and stayed at her daughter's home.
    In the morning she went to the chapel and had a mass said
    for Bonaventure and then again set out for home, barefoot,
    fasting and praying the whole way. The roads of that day
    were simply oxen trails, rocky and rough. Anyone familiar
    with the geology of the area will attest to the rocky
    granite ground. This must have been an almost impossible
    trip if it wasn't for Love. Upon her arrival home it was
    discovered that Bonaventure had been healed at the very time
    the mass was being said and was playing with his siblings.
    Such great faith and love was rewarded!
    
    (Taken from personal letters written by Fr. Bonaventure to
    his cousin Cecilia Mahowald, and to his childhood friend Fr.
    Louis. Also from numerous newspaper articles in the
    possession of Nicola Abbott)