Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart
Encyclopedia
The Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic religious congregation for women based in Frankfort, Illinois
, in the south suburbs of Chicago
. The Sisters serve in the area of health care in hospitals, clinics, home health programs, support programs for pregnant teens and social service programs; are minister in education as teachers, administrators, librarians and religious education coordinators, and serve in parish ministry as liturgists, pastoral associates, youth ministers and coordinators of parish programs.
The Sisters live together in convents that are located in Illinois, Indiana
, California
, and Kentucky as well as in the Amazon area of Brazil
, South America
. Following the Rule of the Third Order of St. Francis
, and as members of the Franciscan family, they are women dedicated to sharing their lives in prayer, community and ministry. Their ministries were defined by their founder, title Wilhelm Berger, as "works of neighborly love".
, Germany
accepted the challenge to serve the poor, the sick and the aging of their village. From this small group grew the Congregation now known as the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart.
From the early years of the Congregation, the Sisters spent long, hard hours serving those in physical and spiritual need. The Sisters worked on the battlefield nursing the wounded of the Franco-Prussian War
. They also cared for the sick in their homes, nursed victims of the plagues of smallpox and typhoid fever. They taught the young and opened their convent doors to the orphans and to the elderly.
When the political climate in Germany
changed, during the period known as the Kulturkampf
, the Sisters were asked to disband or find a new home in a new land. With deep, silent faith they sought in prayer to know the best response. Before they made their final decision, the Rev. D. Duehmig from the United States
invited Mother Anastasia Bischler and the Sisters to this country.
In 1876, the Sisters set sail for America and arrived in the Diocese of Fort Wayne, Indiana
and settled first in the town of Avilla
. Later, circumstances drew the Sister's Motherhouse to Illinois, first to Joliet
and now to its present location in Frankfort.
continually supports their readiness to become involved in a diversity of needed services.
The Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart Development Office was established to seek funding for present and future ministries and needs and to develop relationships with their partners and donors.
Frankfort, Illinois
Frankfort is a village in Will and Cook Counties, Illinois, United States. The population was 17,782 at the 2010 census. According to Forbes.com, in 2007 the village ranked as the 36th fastest growing suburb in the United States. - Previous spelling :...
, in the south suburbs of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. The Sisters serve in the area of health care in hospitals, clinics, home health programs, support programs for pregnant teens and social service programs; are minister in education as teachers, administrators, librarians and religious education coordinators, and serve in parish ministry as liturgists, pastoral associates, youth ministers and coordinators of parish programs.
The Sisters live together in convents that are located in Illinois, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and Kentucky as well as in the Amazon area of Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. Following the Rule of the Third Order of St. Francis
Third Order of St. Francis
The Third Order of St. Francis is a third order within the Franciscan movement of the Roman Catholic Church. It includes both congregations of vowed men and women and fraternities of men and women living standard lives in the world, usually married...
, and as members of the Franciscan family, they are women dedicated to sharing their lives in prayer, community and ministry. Their ministries were defined by their founder, title Wilhelm Berger, as "works of neighborly love".
History
In 1866, Colette Himmelsbach and three other daring young women in SeelbachSeelbach, Baden-Württemberg
Seelbach is a town in the district of Ortenau in Baden-Württemberg in Germany.The most popular Festival is the Katharinenmarkt on November.- Geography :...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
accepted the challenge to serve the poor, the sick and the aging of their village. From this small group grew the Congregation now known as the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart.
From the early years of the Congregation, the Sisters spent long, hard hours serving those in physical and spiritual need. The Sisters worked on the battlefield nursing the wounded of the Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
. They also cared for the sick in their homes, nursed victims of the plagues of smallpox and typhoid fever. They taught the young and opened their convent doors to the orphans and to the elderly.
When the political climate in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
changed, during the period known as the Kulturkampf
Kulturkampf
The German term refers to German policies in relation to secularity and the influence of the Roman Catholic Church, enacted from 1871 to 1878 by the Prime Minister of Prussia, Otto von Bismarck. The Kulturkampf did not extend to the other German states such as Bavaria...
, the Sisters were asked to disband or find a new home in a new land. With deep, silent faith they sought in prayer to know the best response. Before they made their final decision, the Rev. D. Duehmig from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
invited Mother Anastasia Bischler and the Sisters to this country.
In 1876, the Sisters set sail for America and arrived in the Diocese of Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
and settled first in the town of Avilla
Avilla, Indiana
Avilla is a town in Allen Township, Noble County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,401 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Avilla is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of ....
. Later, circumstances drew the Sister's Motherhouse to Illinois, first to Joliet
Joliet, Illinois
Joliet is a city in Will and Kendall Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois, located southwest of Chicago. It is the county seat of Will County. As of the 2010 census, the city was the fourth-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 147,433. It continues to be Illinois' fastest growing...
and now to its present location in Frankfort.
Today
Over the years, the Sisters have continued to answer the call for help in many communities. Their heritage of industry and discipline has equipped them to adapt to the needs of the times and local customs. Their deep trust in Divine ProvidenceDivine Providence
In Christian theology, divine providence, or simply providence, is God's activity in the world. " Providence" is also used as a title of God exercising His providence, and then the word are usually capitalized...
continually supports their readiness to become involved in a diversity of needed services.
The Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart Development Office was established to seek funding for present and future ministries and needs and to develop relationships with their partners and donors.