From Rome to Brooklyn
The 1968 General Chapter was the Congregation’s Renewal Chapter, following the Second Vatican Council. One of the decisions made was to move the house of government from Rome to the United States on an experimental basis...
Historical milestones
Recollections, stories of everyday life, interweaving of experiences, of memories...:
Recounting events from the past helps us to walk in the vitality of history in continuous evolution. It is in history where we discover the roots that infuse us with the lifeblood to live the present, encouraging us to look toward the future with hope and confidence.
Today we create a “remembrance” of the history of our Religious Family through a series of publications, in accordance with the Congregational Pastoral Plan, which has invited us to “witness our healing charism in harmony with our cultures by celebrating our history.”
We want to relive the highlights in order to savor the energy and enthusiasm lived by Mother Frances and the Sisters and Associates who came before us. In communion with them we want to “embrace change at all stages in our lives as opportunities for spiritual healing among us and within ourselves.”
We hope that these publications may give us the energy and passion to live our healing charism with enthusiasm and creativity, while we live as Apostles of the Resurrection in our present history and in the Community of Life.
Our Charism Extended into Brazil
Soon after his election in 1958 Pope John XXIII appealed to the world’s Catholics and religious orders, stressing the spiritual and physical needs of people in Latin America. The Franciscan Sisters of the Poor eagerly responded to this call...
From the 1950s to the 1970s The early development of the Congregation in Italy
The years following the 1952 General Chapter and separation from Germany were a time of learning and service for the Sisters in Italy. Following the separation, the members of the new Franciscan Sisters of the Poor expanded...
The Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis and the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor
A letter from Mother Alexiana dated September 23, 1952, reads: "It is the decision of the assembled General Chapter that our Congregation of the Sisters of the Poor of Saint Francis should in future consist of two independent branches...
Relocation of the Congregation’s General House from Aachen to Rome
The relocation of the Congregation’s Generalate from Aachen - Germany, to Rome - Italy finds formal base in this official document of the Congregation: as follows: “To comply with the ardent desire of Holy Mother Church and...
The Congregation during World War II
The first four decades of the 20th century constituted a period of tremendous growth for the Congregation. Unfortunately political unrest was also developing in Germany during this time, which ultimately culminated...
Our Charism alive in 1900 - 1940
The deep faith and courage of our Sisters during these times of war, epidemics, poverty and other challenges is truly admirable! Bishops in Germany, Belgium, and the United States continued to beg them to begin new institutions.
Our Charism Continues 1877 – 1900
After the death of Mother Frances on December 14, 1876, the grieving Congregation continued its ministries under the leadership of Superior General Fulgentia van Endert. Not long after Mother Frances’s death, Sarah Peter died imparting...
