Expression of the Love for Neighbor

Before the foundation of the Congregation, the Servant of God was a member of the Third-Order of St. Francis and a member of the Sacred-Heart Association. Father Reichard had organized groups to visit the sick. Elizabeth Eppinger participated it actively during the time when her health permitted it.

From her early days, she was concerned about the sanctification of her neighbor, all those in her surroundings: her parents, brothers and sisters, domestics, her schoolmates, and her friends. Her constant concern is to make them avoid sin and love God, to be virtuous and this in spite of all mockery and insults.
The love for our neighbor in the Servant of God first of all wanted the salvation of her neighbor. She untiringly prayed for sinners and worked for their conversion. She said: “I feel an intense tenderness for the sinners. I see in them God’s creatures and the objects of His love.”
Father Reichard said: “She constantly feels irresistibly attracted towards God, her Savior; always and with just as much strength she wishes to be able to lead all sinners to Him.”Later, during her third period of illness, she maintained this intention, while receiving many visitors all day long and despite every fatigue. She talked to them only about God and the salvation of their souls. Still later, she said to her Daughters, whom she inspired with the zeal burning in her soul: “No effort, no pain, no sacrifice must be too much for you if the love of neighbor demands it.”

Many conversions occurred through the contact with the Servant of God. Father Reichard says: “Nobody goes to her without being moved to tears.
Father Glöckler says: “The impression she makes is beneficent, and nobody leaves her without being deeply touched and without making salutary decisions for life.”
Father Busson says: “All those visitors left her with content hearts. Some of them felt consoled in their sorrows, others agreed to bring their lives in order, others again were confirmed in doing good.”

Many people suffering from fears, worries, doubts and temptations turned to the Servant of God and found light, peace and comfort, and they talked about it. She told them that in such trials they must not lose courage but with confidence they must raise their hearts towards God and expect their salvation from Him alone.