Mother Mary Anselma Felber was born on January 21, 1843, at Kottwil, Canton-Luzern in Switzerland and was baptized Elizabeth Felber. Her parents were righteous and God-fearing and taught her to love God above all.

The grace of God led Elizabeth to give her life to the service of the Lord and of his holy Church. Therefore at only 16 years old, she entered the Convent of Perpetual Adoration at Maria Rickenbach. She was given the name Sister Mary Anselma. In this quickly flourishing house she would, after a year of probation, pronounce her vows on May 30, 1860. She so well adapted to the spirit of her new religious family that the confidence of the superiors and the love of her fellow-sisters soon made her assistant of the Reverend Mother. In this position she worked for the welfare and blessing of the convent until God’s providence wanted her in holy obedience to go to far away America.

In August 1874 five sisters journeyed from Maria Rickenbach, Switzerland, to the United States, in response to requests of the Benedictine Fathers at Conception, Missouri for assistance in ministering to the immigrant population. Thirty-year-old Mother Anselma Felber was chosen as their superior. She died nine years later, having seen only the small beginnings of the Congregation of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.

Small Beginnings
From the Letters of Mother Anselme Felber

We have a house with nine rooms, and as people say, a beautiful one, but it is no convent yet. We still have to improve much in our hearts until our Lord can find us fit to open a Convent of Perpetual Adoration which is more necessary for America than to preach and teach. The people - at least many of them - know their duties, but grace must be prayed for that they also act according to what they know.

Please tell Sister not to expect anything great or beautiful in Conception or America, only to be prepared for work, and that- work of all kind. We have more work than we can manage. Sr.Mary Agnes takes care of the church, altar breads and candles. Since the first day Sr. Mary Augustine had to play the organ. Sr. Mary Adela, for the time being, works in the kitchen. Last summer and into winter there came orders from outside for ten chasubles and other vestments. We all help together in the kitchen, laundry, and garden. It might otherwise become too hard for the one or other.

I hope that with God's grace our small beginning is going to take a turn for the better. Until now, I must confess, the whole is much too exterior; the true spirit of holy obedience, silence, mortification is by far missing. They are all young, inexperienced souls yet who cling to all that flatters them and tend to escape the yoke of obedience and the supervision of their superior. It is no evil will but a lot of pride and the attraction of independence. By united cooperation and patience it will hopefully become better.

Please pray that all comes out according to God's will.