This post originally appeared at https://www.prolifewi.org/blog/2024/10/14/farewell-to-sister-rosalia-bauer-fspa

It is with deep sadness yet profound hope in the resurrection that we share the news of the passing of one of Pro-Life Wisconsin’s founding members, Sister Rosalia Bauer, FSPA this past Friday, October 11, 2024.

Sister Rosalia was a member of a Catholic order of religious sisters in La Crosse for over 70 years, the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and a tireless defender of the unborn. She was active with Pro-Life Wisconsin (PLW) from our earliest years beginning in 1993, serving as volunteer coordinator soon after PLW was formed. With her knowledge and experience in nursing (Sister was an RN), she was able to provide expert medical testimony at the State Capitol and pro-life medical education at various PLW events.

Sister’s contributions to the pro-life movement forever shaped the pro-life movement in Wisconsin, both in her prayer and actions. Matt Sande, PLW Legislative Director, remarked on her passing that: “Sister was an uncompromising, principled pro-life warrior.” Marie Allen, leader of the La Crosse Life League, remarked: “… we’ve lost one of our best warriors.” And Sister was a warrior for life because she knew the Lord had called her to witness to the truth of the inherent dignity of every human being, born and preborn. She had her moments when she struggled, like all of us, to actively live out the Gospel of life, but she remained faithful. When asked what was hardest about being involved in this work, she told the interviewer: “I don’t always like it [being active in the pro-life movement] and I wish someone else would do it, but I don’t think I could live with myself if I did something else. So far, I’ve never been told to put that sign down and quit.”1

Sister was honored at PLW’s Love for Life Gala on October 14, 2017, when Sister Rosalia was honored as one of our founding members. Several members of the La Crosse Life League traveled to Milwaukee to celebrate this special recognition. 

An official obituary will be posted on our website when it becomes available.

Thank you, Sister Rosalia, for your pro-life witness! May your memory be eternal, and may you rest in the peace of Christ for all eternity. Amen.

1https://badgercatholic.blogspot.com/2015/11/fspa-sister-looks-back-on-22-years-of.html