Franciscan Sisters of Chicago

Celebrating Our Faith, Celebrating Our Franciscan Tradition: Prayer at Franciscan Communities

This beautiful coffee-table book contains full-color photographs from the chapels at each of the Franciscan Communities. Each picture is accompanied by a prayer or meditation.

Franciscan Crown Rosary

The Franciscan historian Luke Wadding (1588-1657) dates the origin of the Franciscan Crown to the year 1422. He tells the story of a young novice in the Franciscan Order who, previously accustomed to express his devotion to the Blessed Virgin by adorning her statue with a wreath of fresh flowers, was prevented from continuing this practice in the novitiate. In distress, he considered leaving the Order. But the Blessed Virgin appeared to him and instructed him to recite a rosary of seven decades in honor of her seven joys; thus, he might weave a “crown” more pleasing to her than flowers on her statue. From that time the practice of reciting the “crown of the seven joys” became general in the order. Thus it became known as the Franciscan Crown—or the Seraphic Rosary. – Source: The National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi, San Francisco, California, USA

The Geste of the Great King

“In this Office of the Passion, . . . Saint Francis combines a devotion to both the Cross and the Blessed Mother, . . .his collage of scriptural passages and antiphons reflects many characteristics of his unique vision. He frequently refers to the wonders of creation, the joys of the Easter mystery, and the Fatherhood of God.” – taken from the Introduction

A New Kind of Freedom

"Back in the day. . . " several of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago got together in a recording studio to record some of the Sisters’ original compositions. The result was this CD that contains 12 tracks. These songs sing of faith, St. Francis and Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik. An original “Our Father” and “Ave Maria” are also included.

Listen to samples.

Membership in the League of Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik

As a member, you are helping the Beatification Cause. You will also be remembered daily in the prayers of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago. Petition requests are also presented and remembered in these prayers.

As God Shall Ordain: A History of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago 1894 -- 1987
by Sister Anne Marie Knawa, osf

In 1881, Josephine Dudzik left her native Poland for America. Upon her arrival, she had no way of knowing the path that Divine Providence had laid out for her. Josephine certainly had no way of knowing that she was destined to become Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik, the foundress of the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago. What she was certain of, however, was her desire to alleviate the plight of the suffering, aged, handicapped, and poor she encountered on Chicago's far northwest side in the vicinity of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish. How she succeeded in gathering a group of parish women to assist her in ministering to the needy and neglected and how this initial venture grew into a religious congregation is the subject of this history.

A Heart for Jesus: Living the Spirit of Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik
Edited by Larry Brook

Full color 32-page short biography of Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik and the history of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago.

The Words of Mother Mary Theresa

In 1910, Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik wrote The Chronicle of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago[The Chronicle of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Kundgunda in Chicago, Illinois: An Account of the Beginnings of Our Community] at the command of the Reverend Andrew Spetz, CR, who was, at that time, the Director of the newly-established Congregation. The Chronicle covers the years from 1893 to 1910, and contains, in the words of Mother Mary Theresa, “only the more important occurrences insofar as I remember them.” This booklet, containing the spiritual sentiments of Mother Mary Theresa, as separated from the historical events she narrates in the Chronicle, is presented as a medium for inspiration, reflection and contemplation.

Prayer for Our Daily Needs

The prayer written by the Venerable Servant of God.

Venerable Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik prayer leaflet

Contains the Beatification Prayer, the Novena Prayer, and a brief timeline of the Cause for Beatification. Pocket-sized. Available in English, Polish, and Spanish.

Qty 1 to 10 Free, Free shipping and handling

Venerable Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik biography leaflet

Illustrated. Printed on quality card stock.