As Franciscans, we owe our origins to Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi.

 

Francis and Clare were thirteenth century Italian saints, natives of the once insignificant town of Assisi located in the hill country of Umbria, northeast of Rome and southeast of Florence.

   

Assisi, the Saints' City

Francis' and Clare's passionate love for God and all of God's creatures has had a profound impact on our world and continues to motivate contemporary men and women to embrace the Franciscan dream. Led by a vision of faith, Francis and Clare stood in solidarity with the poor, the powerless, the outcast--as Jesus did, and embraced the Gospel as their rule of life. The essence of our Franciscan life is our relationship with Jesus Christ calling us to a new worldview, which recognizes and proclaims the goodness of God in all of life and creation. Praise was Francis' and Clare's response to all of creation, and Jesus the center of their lives.

 

The life vision and charisma of Saints Francis and Clare so inspired Maria Theresia Bonzel that she founded her new Congregation as a Franciscan community. The gift of a deep, personal, and faith-filled love for the Eucharist found expression as the charism of her new Community. Today the members of our Congregation throughout the world seek to enflesh our charism of "Eucharistic and lived adoration"--worshiping God in the Eucharist and celebrating the image of God in all creation. Day and night throughout the world, the Sisters of the various Provinces of our Congregation pray before the Blessed Sacrament, giving glory to God and petitioning for the needs of all peoples. In 'lived' adoration we become available to God whom we meet in Scripture, in our everyday work, in the challenges of our times, in the needs of society, and in each other.

As Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration, we seek to continue the mission of Jesus as we follow in the footprints of Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi and those of our foundress, Maria Theresia Bonzel.

Maria Theresia founded The Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration in Olpe, Westphalia, Germany in 1863. The small community expanded to the United States in 1875 and has become international in scope with representation in Germany, the United States, the Philippine Islands, and Brazil. Mount Saint Francis, the Motherhouse of the Saint Joseph Province of The Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration is located in Colorado Springs, CO. Mount Alverno, home of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province of our Congregation, is located in Mishawaka, IN.  

For futher information, please contact Sister Frances Sedlacek; (719) 955-7015 or email: frances@stfrancis.org