Maria de Mattias educated women and children during a time in history when it was unpopular to do so. She cared for the poor, and led a community of women that spread throughout the world.

This book tells the story of Sister Clementine Zerr, a woman who was central to the foundation of the U.S. Adorers of the Blood of Christ.

This book tells the story of St. Maria De Mattias, a woman known for her courage and commitment. This well-written narrative of the foundress of the international order of Catholic Sisters, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, invites us to join a saint on her journey.

Sister Clementine Zerr had come to East St. Louis looking for a place to establish a central house. Since 1889, she had had sisters at St. Henry’s and St. Mary’s, two of East St. Louis’ three parishes, but she needed a place to carry out her congregation’s distinctive task of educating young girls in boarding schools and she needed a central house for the sisters, easily accessible by train.