Faithfully Woven: Sister Rose Veronica Heinzen, SNDdeN 

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Our archives are alive with the fascinating stories of our Sisters who established our presence in California. Read more about Sister Rose Veronica Heinzen, SNDdeN, a daughter of German immigrants who became a beloved teacher. 

From Tomboy to Beloved Teacher: Sister Rose Veronica Heinzen, SNDdeN 

Sister Rose Veronica Heinzen, SNDdeN was born on June 3, 1903, in Salinas, California, the daughter of German immigrants. Her father was a farmer, and she loved growing up outside and playing with her brothers.

“Old San José,” the chapel where Sister Rose entered the Sisterhood in 1920.

Rose met the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur at Sacred Heart Elementary, which opened in 1906. With no Catholic high school for girls in her area, she continued her studies in music and took the commercial courses offered by the Sisters. She expressed a desire to enter the convent, but she was too young. Instead, Sister Flora allowed her to work as a teacher’s aide with third- and fourth-graders.

Rose planned to enter the convent, but she had not yet told her parents. Then, one night at the dinner table, her sister spilled the beans. Her mother had prayed that one of her daughters would become a Sister; she just did not think it would be her “Tom Boy Rose.” After some discussion, she entered with her family’s blessing on her 17th birthday in 1920.  

As a novice, Rose received high school instruction as well as the normal formation instruction. She excelled in studies and made First Vows on August 15, 1923, the last group to do so at “Old San José.” On her first mission, she joined the pioneer group at St. Columbkille in Los Angeles and helped establish the school. The convent was not quite finished, leading to some interesting and hilarious incidents. 

At St. Columbkille, Sister Rose Veronica taught third- and fourth-grade students in one classroom. While she instructed one group, the other worked on written assignments. She was a very young teacher, and her example inspired several of her students to enter Notre Dame. These were Sisters Rose Marie Julie Gavin, Anna Louise Schlitt and Majorie Tomkins, SNDdeN.  

She loved teaching and was beloved in the California Province. She had many assignments and often returned to teaching at familiar schools. After some time, she predominantly taught grades 7 and 8. She also enjoyed taking care of the dogs at the convents in Watsonville and Saratoga, a throwback to her farm beginnings.  

A former student wrote of her in November 1985: 

“I have been able to make contact with Sister Rose Veronica, a wonderful woman who was my seventh- and eighth-grade teacher in San Francisco (1949). I finally got to thank her for all she did for me. I am a classroom teacher, and I am aware of the joy that a teacher can receive by meeting with former students.”  

Her humble beginnings endeared her to many students as she personified St. Julie’s precept: “Teach them what they need for life.” Over many years, she spread the joy of God throughout California.