Editing Regina Protmann (section)

==Life==
Regina Protmann was born in [[Braniewo|Braniewo (Braunsberg)]] in 1552 and to Peter Protmann and Regina née Tingel. Her father was a merchant and local [[Patrician (post-Roman Europe)|patrician]]. Her uncle was a councilman.<ref name=SEB/><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.katharinenschwestern.de/mediapool/128/1281686/data/Broschuere_Regina_Protmann_-_4-2012_.pdf| title = katharinenschwestern.de}}</ref>

Protmann became familiarized with religious and political matters during the time of the [[Protestant Reformation]] and the [[Counter Reformation]]. She joined a Marian group that the [[Jesuits]] had set up and she entrusted herself to their spiritual care.<ref name=EN/> In 1571, she explained to her parents that she could not be married as expected but was devoting herself to religious studies and taking care of the sick and poor.

Despite the opposition of her parents Protmann moved out on her own and with two other women lived in an abandoned house. The group made a living in taking care of and nursing the sick and also doing housework. During a time of [[witch-hunt]] and strict counter-measures from the [[Roman Catholic Church]] it was unheard of for women to live on their own. There were no convents for women in the area at that time.<ref name=EN/> 

Protmann persevered and, inspired by Saint [[Catherine of Alexandria]], founded one which became the congregation of the Sisters of Saint Catherine. Protmann helped to nurse the sick and educated nurses while seeing to it that nurses themselves received care when it was needed. Under the government of the prince-bishops schools for males existed alone but Protmann founded schools for girls as well.<ref name=SEB/><ref name=SQPN/>

Protmann died in 1613 after a painful illness she contracted that winter while on a travel trip.<ref name=SEB/>

===World War II and after===
The Saint Catherine of Alexandria church in [[Braunsberg]] was ruined in 1945 during its capture by the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] forces during [[World War II]]. Braniewo was assigned to Poland. During the expulsion of the inhabitants of [[East Prussia]], including the sisters of her congregation, over 100 sisters died. It was rebuilt after 1979 and in 2001 dedicated as a [[Minor Basilica]]. On 28 June 2000, Protmann was declared the patroness of Braniewo.<ref name=SQPN/>