Franciscan Sisters of Chicago

Our Emblem \| Our Lady of Victory \| Gifts - You Can Help

"After Father Barzynski gave me his blessing, he attempted to encourage me by saying that the money I might receive by begging would be meant for St. Joseph Home. Any rudeness or reproaches I might receive, I was to accept for myself. I was heartened by this advice."
- Mother Theresa Dudzik (Learn more about the Beatification Cause of the Venerable Mother Theresa Dudzik)

Charism Statement

I felt the misery and suffering of others, and it seemed to me that I could not love Jesus, or even expect heaven if I were concerned only about myself... Consequently, I was constantly occupied with the thought of how I could be of service to the needy and the poor.

-Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik

Mission Statement

IN RESPONSE TO GOD'S CALL, we, the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago live the Gospel of Jesus Christ by proclaiming God's love among all people and serving them generously.

INSPIRED by the compassion and zeal of our foundress, Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik, we give ourselves in faith, love, and joy to praying, evangelizing, teaching, healing, and caring.

AIDED by those who share our vision and the mission of the Church, we respond to the challenge of new ministries.

STRENGTHENED by prayer and community life, we give ourselves as gift for God, the Church, and the world.

Brief History

The Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago (formerly known as the Franciscan Sisters of Blessed Kunegunda) was officially founded on December 8, 1894, in Chicago, Illinois, by Josephine Dudzik, a young immigrant Pole. During Chicago's severe economic crisis of 1893, Josephine Dudzik, aided

by her loyal friend and associate, Rosalie Wisinski, urged her companions of the Third Order of St. Francis to join her in a common life of prayer, labor, and service to the aged, homeless, and crippled. The Reverend Vincent Barzynski, C.R., the renowned pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church and Josephine's spiritual advisor, urged the zealous women to adopt the structure of religious life, thus forming the first sisterhood to be founded in the city of Chicago. They took the names given as tertiaries in the Third Order, so Josephine Dudzik was called Sister Mary Theresa. Together with an ever-increasing number of Sisters, Sister Mary Theresa expanded her apostolic service to the Church.

For over a century, the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, faithful to the spirit of their Foundress, have dedicated themselves to continuing the mission of Jesus

in education, health care, and pastoral and social services. In all their ministries, the Sisters are guided by the words of their Foundress: "I reassured myself with the thought that, whatever I did, I would do it for the greater glory of God." The Franciscan Sisters of Chicago minister solely in the United States.

The Congregation's central government is located in Lemont, Illinois. The Sisters follow "The Rule and Life of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Assisi" and the Constitutions of the Congregation. The Congregation's goals always have been constant with the goals of the Church and the needs of the times. The basic spirit of the Congregation is summed up in the Sisters' devotional renewal of vows - that is, "to rededicate my life and seek to take my place in the Church, and to build community in my Congregation, as well as among the people of God after the spirit of St. Francis." The Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, under the patronage of the Immaculate Conception, looks to the future imbued with the same vision, hope, and courage which first inspired their beloved Foundress.

Motherhouses

The Our Lady of Victory Convent, General Motherhouse of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, in Lemont, IL was built in 2002.

The Our Lady of Victory Convent, General Motherhouse of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, in Lemont, IL was occupied from 1963 until 2002.

In 1897, aware of the need for larger accomodations for her beloved aged and poor, Sister Mary Theresa initiated the construction of St. Joseph Home for the Aged and Crippled in the Avondale area on Chicago's Northwest side. At its completion in 1898, St. Joseph Home also served as the Motherhouse of the young Congregation for the next 66 years.