A Missionary Legacy That Uplifted Our Sisters in Cameroon

The Tertiary Sisters of Saint Francis find it hard to bid farewell to Sister Felix Maria Malsiner, a zealous missionary and a strong pillar of the Congregation.  Born on April 4, 1927, Sr. Felix joined the Community of the Tertiary Sisters in 1945. She made Final Profession on May 30, 1950,  and in 1952, she went on mission to Cameroon where she served for 37 years.  She was Director at the Catholic School of Health Sciences in Shisong till 1967 when she became the first Regional Superior of the Shisong Region. When the Region was elevated to a Province in 1971, She became the first  Provincial Superior of the Province of Cameroon, a position she held till 1989 when she was elected Superior General. After the second term of office as Superior General, she returned to Brixen and continued to serve her community till her demise on April 9, 2024.

Her life was a testament to unwavering dedication, profound wisdom, and boundless love for the Congregation.

Reflecting on her tenure, it is evident that Mother Felix’s impact was profound and far-reaching. Her instrumental role in the elevation of the Region of Cameroon to a Province stands as a testament to her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the growth and prosperity of our congregation. Additionally, her twelve years of service as Provincial Superior were marked by tireless devotion and exemplary leadership, empowering and opening opportunities to the fast-growing Cameroonian membership, guiding us through both challenges and triumphs with grace and wisdom.  She assumed a prophetic, humble and realistic motherly and coach position when the first Cameroonian Provincial Superior was elected in her stead.  Her missionary life in Cameroon was clearly characterized by a commitment to assisting the Cameroonian Sisters develop skills for “catching their fish”, thus the growth of the Cameroon Province was evidently rewarding and source of joy and missionary satisfaction. In fact, she blessed and truly wished well to the Cameroonian sisters and people.

As Superior General, Mother Felix fostered invaluable connections with the Franciscan Congregations in America, enriching our congregation with their support and solidarity. Her vision and foresight in cultivating these relationships have undoubtedly strengthened our collaborative mission and furthered our shared commitment to serving others.  She dreamed of and did everything possible to promote a truly Franciscan lifestyle of poverty, humility, contemplation and penance!

Mother Felix’s leadership has left an indelible mark on our community, and her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.

While we mourn the loss of Mother Felix, we take solace in the knowledge that her legacy will endure through the lives she touched and the profound impact she made on our congregation. May God, in His infinite mercy, reward her with eternal life, and may her spirit continue to guide and inspire us in our journey ahead.

We honor her memory and celebrate her remarkable life.