Many readers will have heard of Mother Basilea Schlink, the German founder of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary. But how many have read her remarkable life story?

If you haven’t, there is no better time than now, for Basilea’s autobiography - first published some fifty years ago when she was in her early 70s – has just been freshened up by means of a completely new translation, and released in attractive hardback form.

A life of introspection

I should say right at the start, the book does not make an easy read. Basilea was phenomenally introspective. From a very early age, she was prone to constantly examine her heart’s motives, ever repenting of her selfishness and lack of love. While this is, of course, a commendable attitude, I couldn’t help thinking that, throughout her life, she was often far too hard on herself, deeply remorseful over mistakes and wrongdoings that most believers would barely concern themselves with.

And yet it’s this very feature that makes her life and ministry, and this book, so distinctive and worthy. Basilea lived a life of outstanding humility and closeness to Jesus. She sought intimacy with Christ above all things and she and her ‘sisters’ lived in an ongoing spirit of intercession, bringing every detail of their lives before the Lord in prayer. It is these characteristics more than anything else that make this book so thoroughly compelling from start to finish.

Early developments

The book begins with Basilea outlining her comfortable childhood, growing up in Brunswick, then the genteel suburbs of Darmstadt, Germany; her encounter with God in her late teens; and the times spent in several further education institutions (Froebel Academy, Women’s College for Social Welfare Training, Malche Bible College), along with stints spent in youth work and teaching. All this served as preparation for her studies at Berlin University, with the overall intention of reaching students with the gospel.

She sought intimacy with Christ above all things and she and her ‘sisters’ lived in an ongoing spirit of intercession, bringing every detail of their lives before the Lord in prayer.

Basilea describes her calling to subsequently set up a Bible course in the top floor of her parents' commodious home along with her lifelong trusted best friend, Erika Madauss, the Sisterhood’s Mother Martyria. This initiative appeared to be a massive failure - that is until World War 2 broke out, with the allied forces’ devastating air-raid of Darmstadt having the remarkable consequence of bringing about a mini-revival among student-aged girls in the surrounding area. “The night of death contained the hour of birth”, Basilea records, overjoyed at this “hour of renewal” and its outpouring of joy, new life and “shower of repentance” that rained down from on high.

The Sisterhood begins

The seeds from this exciting awakening led to the formation of the Sisterhood of Mary in 1947. Basilea described this novel, and as it transpired, controversial, initiative as “A community life based on daily contrition and repentance in the light of God; a fellowship of love rooted in bridal love for Jesus; a type of discipleship involving complete dependence upon God along pathways of faith; a life of prayer, of adoration, and of sacrifice”.

Thus commenced a remarkable episode in the life of Basilea and her “spiritual daughters”; a communal journey that was marked by poverty (they owned next to nothing in terms of material possessions or finances), chastity and perpetual heart-searching. To add to the austerity, Basilea suffered ongoing bouts of ill-health throughout her life.

Basilea was ever aware of the need to draw ever closer into unity with Jesus, which she knew would constitute a life of pain, misunderstanding and loneliness, and of carrying the shame of the Cross – experiential affiliation with the fellowship of His sufferings.

Hardly the marks of a triumphant, victorious Spirit-filled life – yet Basilea was ever aware of the need to draw ever closer into unity with Jesus, which she knew would constitute a life of pain, misunderstanding and loneliness, and of carrying the shame of the Cross – experiential affiliation with the fellowship of His sufferings.

Opposition and persecution

Basilea shares in detail the months-long occasion when God called her to a life of seclusion, time spent alone with Jesus, as well as her calling to bless the Jews. The sisters were aware that Germany’s downfall in the second world war was judgment from God on their nation for their mass murder of the Jewish people in the Holocaust, something that grieved them bitterly and drove them deeper into repentance on behalf of the German people. In later years, Basilea embarked on numerous visits to Israel (read more here).

Various other international trips are also noted – to America, for example, and to India, as well as the emergence over time of Sisterhood bases in numerous countries around the world. Basilea notes, too, the multiple occasions when other Christian groups – often evangelicals – perhaps feeling threatened by the Sisterhood’s apparent success, and completely misrepresenting what they stood for – launched bitter public campaigns against her ministry – with significant negative fallout.

The pain and loss that she suffered through such experiences – and they marked her entire life of public ministry – was incalculable ...

All such suffering and hardship Basilea regarded as a means whereby God drew her closer to Christ. Yet her belief was that “Only when Jesus’ disciples are prepared to die with Him, can the body of believers rise and thrive” (p383). “In retrospect I can’t thank the Lord enough for giving me love for those who opposed me” (p374). But the pain and loss that she suffered through such experiences – and they marked her entire life of public ministry – was incalculable, and makes the book difficult reading at times.

The ‘Promised Land’

Yet always, following every humiliation; every act of deep repentance, there was a victory, a spiritual breakthrough. One of the most beautiful stories recorded in these pages was the remarkable story of ‘Canaan’ – the “commission” that Basilea sensed from God to purchase a wide strip of beautiful country land near to the Sisterhood base, which would become “a land of His promises and miracles; a foretaste of the kingdom of God as a kingdom of love, evident right here on earth.”

It was an impossible mission – for, unknown to them at the time, much of the land was divided into over twenty small plots, many of the owners of which flatly refused to sell. If that wasn’t obstacle enough, the local authorities owned a large part of the land – they, too, point-blank refused to sell, because the land was already assigned for property development and to build a city by-pass.

Yet, miracle of miracles, through years of perseverance against all odds, years of public humiliation and repeated mammoth setbacks – through faith in God alone, and dogged determination – there came the day of victory, when the Sisterhood of Mary was able to purchase the entire strip of land that God had laid on their hearts. On this ‘Promised Land’, over a lengthy period of time, they were able to build a beautiful development with multiple buildings, gardens, and a fountain and lake; a delightful haven which annually attracts hundreds of pilgrims eager to experience a touch of heaven on earth.

One of the most beautiful stories recorded in these pages was the remarkable story of ‘Canaan’ ...

Worthy to share His path

Through ups and downs, knock-backs and triumphs in abundance, Basilea concludes her testimony; “He granted me the privilege, in Paul’s words, to ‘share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death’. Looking back on my life, I am filled with gratitude that the Lord counted me worthy to share His path. In this fellowship with Him I have found deepest fulfilment, His Yes and Amen” (p384).

I have read Basilea’s autobiography several times now. It’s a life story like no other that I know of (and I’ve read hundreds of Christian biographies). It’s a tough read in many ways – but immensely worthwhile.

This new translation will hopefully result in a wider readership. It certainly deserves it. This is simply one of the most impactful and rewarding books I have ever read – one that, if you allow it to, truly draws you into the heart of God. For myself, it has proved life-changing. 

I cannot recommend it highly enough.

‘I Found the Key to the Heart of God’ (386pp) is published by The Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary, and is available from re-vived for £12.73 (inc p&p); or from the UK branch of the Sisterhood of Mary based in Radlett, for a donation (suggested donation £10.50 +p&p). Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..