[4] As a young woman, her parish priest encouraged Gerhardinger to become a teacher, as did the Bishop of Regensburg, Georg Michael Wittmann.

She commenced her training as a lay teacher at the local monastery of the Canonesses Regular of Notre Dame, founded by Peter Fourier in 17th century France for the free education of poor girls.

[3] There were initial complications for official recognition, but King Ludwig I granted them approval for a monastic cloister in March 1834.

[4] She made her religious vows in the Saint Gallus chapel in Regensburg on 16 November 1835 and assumed the name of "Maria Theresia of Jesus".

[2] She accompanied five religious in 1847 to the United States to assist the many German immigrants who were starting new lives there in great numbers, often without a command of English.

[7] The Congregation for the Causes of Saints had their officials and consultants discuss the cause in a meeting on 18 May 1982, in which the board approved the cause, while the bishop and cardinal members of the C.C.S.

Pope John Paul II declared Gerhardinger to be Venerable on 13 January 1983 after confirming her heroic virtue.