Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration

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The Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration is a papal congregation of the Roman Catholic Church, founded on July 20, 1863, by Mother Maria Theresia Bonzel in Olpe, Germany. In 1875, they opened St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana; now part of the Franciscan Health healthcare system. In 1890 they founded Saint Francis Normal School, a teacher training school; which is now the University of Saint Francis (Indiana).

Contents

History

Regina Christine Wilhelmine ("Aline") was born on September 17, 1830. In 1851 she became a member of the Third Order Secular of St. Francis, taking the name Maria Theresia. On July 20, 1863, the community at Olpe was approved by the Bishop Konrad Martin of Paderborn as an independent motherhouse. This date is observed as the founding day of the Congregation. [1]

Their first apostolate was the care of orphans. During the war years of 1870–71, the religious sisters from Olpe cared for eight hundred wounded soldiers. Nonetheless, the Kulturkampf, an anticlerical reaction against the Catholic Church, placed convents under government control, and in 1876 the orphanage was closed. [1]

Anticipating further anti-Catholic measures, Mother Maria Theresia accepted the invitation of Bishop Joseph Dwenger of Fort Wayne, Indiana, to send missionary Sisters to work in his diocese. An American branch was founded by six pioneer nuns who emigrated to Lafayette, Indiana in 1875. By the end of the year, they had established a hospital, St. Elizabeth's. [2] St. Anthony's Hospital in Michigan City, Indiana was founded in 1903. [3] Over the years, the congregation grew and the sisters opened many new hospitals and schools. [1] They also taught in a number of parochial schools. [4]

In 1890 the congregation founded Saint Francis Normal School, a teacher training school; it is now the University of Saint Francis (Indiana). [5]

The sisters minister in the United States, Germany, the Philippines and Brazil.

American painter Sister Mary Rufinia was a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration. [6]

Structure

In 1886 the congregation was formally divided into two provinces, the German and the American. The American has since divided into eastern and western provinces, and another has been established in the Philippines.

Present day

The sisters strive to combine the contemplative life with the active through perpetual adoration and the works of mercy in education, healthcare, and other ecclesial ministries. Members profess vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

The Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration are the founding congregation of Franciscan Health, which operates eleven hospitals serving Indiana and one in Illinois. The sisters of St. Joseph Province sponsor the non-profit Mount St. Francis Nursing Center in Colorado Springs. The parish of St. Francis of Assisi is located on the grounds of the provincial motherhouse. [7]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maria Theresia Bonzel</span>

Maria Theresia Bonzel, born Regina Christine Wilhelmine Bonzel, was a Roman Catholic German nun and was the founder of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration. By the time of her death, the order had sisters all over the world, and had established schools, hospitals, and orphanages.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Life of Blessed Maria Theresia Bonzel", Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, Mishawaka, Indiana
  2. ↑ Nussbaum, Melissa Musick. "Don't stop praying, don't break the fast", National Catholic Reporter, August 14, 2013
  3. ↑ Avila, Larry. "Franciscan Health time capsule reveals century-old items from former St. Anthony hospital in Michigan City", Northwest Indiana Business Magazine, January 5, 2021
  4. ↑ "Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration celebrate anniversaries", Today's Catholic, Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, November 2, 2019
  5. ↑ University of Saint Francis
  6. ↑ Judith Vale Newton and Carol Ann Weiss (2004). Skirting the Issue: Stories of Indiana's Historical Women Artists. Indiana Historical Society Press. ISBN   0-87195-177-0.
  7. ↑ Parish of St. Francis of Assisi, Colorado Springs
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