Commemorate the daring four Sisters who arrived through New York’s harbor among waving USA centennial flags then traveling to Avilla, IN, 150 years ago. Celebrate with the courageous 23 sisters who followed and all Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart who continue to serve throughout North and South America. Please join us in thankful prayers for all God has done.
Join us in prayerful Days of Recollection every First Friday of the month (or any day that works for you each month).
Month
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Theme
Mothering
Poverty
Obedience
Consecration
Itineracy
Reparation
Care of Creation
Contemplation
Humility
Eucharist
Thanksgiving
Incarnation
To be Franciscan means following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi who took the Gospel literally and embraced a life of utter poverty so that he could become poor like the poor Christ. He wrote a “Rule of Life” for the many followers attracted to his way of life. This way of love is still as powerful today as it was then. Read on to learn more.
“The truly poor in spirit, following the example of the Lord, live in this world as pilgrims and strangers.”
(TOR Rule Ch. VI-22)
Who We Are
As vowed women religious, we are dedicated to living out the Gospel through the teachings of St. Francis and St. Clare. Our commitment to faithfulness inspires us to serve our community with mercy, joy, and a spirit of poverty, embodying God's love in every act of neighborly kindness.
We are Franciscan Sisters, merciful, joyous and poor, doing works of neighborly love.
Merciful, Joyous and Poor
We Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart live by the charism: "merciful, joyous and poor, doing works of neighborly love". A "charism" is a gift of the Spirit given to a founder of a ministry to meet a specific need at a certain time. This gift is meant to be shared and passed on to others so that the work of the Spirit continues.
Who are Franciscans?
Franciscans are women and men called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, as did Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi. Living out this calling can take many forms, as is evident in the Franciscan family found throughout the world. The Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart are a congregation of vowed Franciscan women religious.
Neighborly Love
For us, neighborly love doesn't stop at the backyard fence. All are neighbors, whether next door or across continents. Connect from wherever you are to this Franciscan congregation of religious sisters and find companions on your journey to encourage and inspire you, to challenge and grow your faith, to bring you unfailing hope that the Divine moves within and among us as we become the hands and feet of Jesus in service to one another.
Rooted in Simple Gospel living
Like Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi, we journey in the footprints of Jesus through simple, Gospel living...
- discerning God's dream for us personally and communally
- gathering in fraternitas (community) with Jesus as our brother
- being a welcoming and joyful presence
- placing our incompleteness in God's transforming heart
- embracing diversity in our life and ministries
- furthering the new reign of God
Reaching out to our neighbors
Our Franciscan heritage calls us to live with open hearts and minds, extending hospitality to all. Therefore, we welcome and embrace minorities and diversity in cultures, religious perspectives, prayer styles, talents and professional callings.
This became the first Motherhouse in Avilla, Indiana, and it was remodeled with the addition of a chapel and enlarged to accommodate those who would be arriving from Europe.
This “Original Chapel” was moved to the present Motherhouse grounds St. Francis Woods, Frankfort, Illinois and was rededicated on July 14, 1979.
Heritage Chapel History
St. Francis Woods
St. Francis Woods is the home of the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, 9201 W. St. Francis Road, Frankfort, IL. Below you will find information or links to help you get to know a little bit about us. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us.
The Motherhouse lobby will generally be open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. The lobby doors will be locked on the weekend, other than for those attending 9:30 a.m. Mass. Visitors are welcome over the weekend but need to make arrangements for entrance with the Sister with whom they are visiting.
You are welcome to walk the grounds sunrise to sunset and use our labyrinth and Cosmic walk. Heritage Chapel on the east side of the grounds is open for private prayer, weather permitting.
Mass is held in Queen of Angels Chapel Tuesday-Sunday at 9:30 a.m. If you use a wheelchair or walker, please enter through the front lobby doors. The lower level entrance has two flights of stairs and no elevator.
Founded by Father Wilhelm Berger in Germany in 1866, the Sisters moved to the United States because of Bismarck's Kulturkamf decree to disband or leave the country. With the leadership of Mother Anastasia, they settled first in Avilla, Indiana, in 1876, moved their Motherhouse to Joliet, Illinois, and finally to Frankfort, Illinois.
The Sisters continue to be merciful, joyous and poor, doing works of neighborly love through their ministries in education, health care, administration, parish work, campus ministry, and wherever there is need in Illinois, Indiana, California, and in Brazil in South America.
Always collaborative, the Sisters also have a growing number of Associates who are partners in our mission to embody the love of Christ.
Brief history of the FSSH
Who are Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi?
St. Francis of Assisi, the little poor man, literally walked in the footprints of Jesus throughout his life. His utter poverty and humility resulted in the wounds of Jesus imprinted on his body, fulfilling his dream of becoming like Jesus in all things. His deep love and dependence on God are evident in his many writings and prayers. His grand celebration of the birth of Jesus at Greccio began the Christmas custom of nativity sets. His love and care for creation, a visible sign of God’s beauty, brought him to call everything in nature “brother” and “sister” and led him to become the Patron Saint of Ecology. On his deathbed, he composed the beautiful “Canticle of the Creatures” expressing the praise given God through all creation. Through the centuries, thousands of others have been drawn to his dream and have dedicated their lives to “rebuilding the church” just as the voice from the San Damiano cross asked Francis to do. The values and spirit of Francis that all Franciscans seek to live are needed in this world now more than ever!
The life and preaching of Francis inspired the first women follower, St. Clare of Assisi, often called “the little plant of Francis.” With Francis as her mentor, she and the other women who joined her, lived a life of gospel poverty, prayer and penance secluded from the world. As Abbess, she lived among the Sisters as one who served, often assuming the most menial tasks. It is said that after a time in prayer, her face was radiant, and these moments of deep contemplation are reflected in her many written letters and prayers. Her reputation became so widely known that popes, cardinals and bishops consulted with her. By the end of her life, her Rule of Life, the first written by a woman, was approved for the Order of the Poor Ladies or Poor Clares. Her name means “clear” and “bright,” which is why she is the patron saint of those with eye disease.
Photo: Sculpture by Kay Francis Berger, OSF, on display in the Motherhouse sunroom.
Visit a Sister
We invite you to spend some time with us to learn more about the Franciscan way of life, way of love, way of being! Set up a visit here.