Franciscan Sisters of Chicago History Articles Archive
The History of Madonna High School
The Franciscan Sisters of Chicago founded Madonna High School in Chicago in 1949. Over the years, thousands of young women were embraced by both Sisters and lay teachers who dedicated their lives to the education and empowerment of women.
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The Sisters and Pope John Paul II
When discussing the election of our new pope, a question came up to the Sisters here: Have any of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago met a pope before? The answer is yes. The Franciscan Sisters of Chicago have a connection to Pope John Paul II. Several of the Sisters have had the opportunity to meet him over the years. This article highlights some of these moments as well as his historic trip to Chicago in 1979.
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The Sisters at St. Florian in Hegewisch
The Franciscan Sisters of Chicago have a long history in the ministry of education as many Sisters in their
Congregation served in schools across the Chicago area and several states across the United States. One of the earliest schools where the Sisters taught was St. Florian in Hegewisch, a community in Chicago located on the south side of the city. Click here to read article.​
The Making of a Saint
On September 13, Michael O'Neill, host of the weekly EWTN radio show, The Miracle Hunter, and the television show, Explore with the Miracle Hunter, visited the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago.
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They Might Be Saints
What is a miracle? The Catholic Church defines a miracle as a sign or wonder from God, such as a medical healing which can only be attributed to divine power. These wonders of God can be manifested directly or indirectly through prayers to specific Catholic saints and religious figures.
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St. Joseph Village of Chicago
Celebrated 125th Anniversary
This year marks the 125th Anniversary of St. Joseph Village of Chicago. In 1898, the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, led by their Foundress Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik, opened St. Joseph Home for the Aged and Crippled in Chicago.
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In the Company of Saints
In 1958, a priest by the name of the Reverend Henry M. Malak visited the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago's Motherhouse in Lemont, Illinois, to give a retreat to the members of the Our Lady of Czestochowa Society. Click here to read article.
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The History of Venerable Mary Theresa Dudzik’s Saintly Cause
Since the 10th Century, the Catholic Church has felt that its duty is to search and find “wonderful workers of God,” individuals referred to as saints.
I was a Girl in Boys Town by Sister Kathleen Melia, OSF
One of the longest ministries the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago served was at Boys Town, Nebraska. Established in 1917 by the famous Father Edward Flanagan, Boys Town was a home and school for neglected and underprivileged boys. Click here to read article.
A Statue Connecting Our Foundresses
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The Franciscan Sisters of Chicago and the Sisters of St. Casimir have had a bond over the years. Recently it was discovered that bond goes back even further to the beginning days of the formation of their congregations. The story came to light with a beautiful statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Click here to read article.
The First School - SS. Peter and Paul School, Spring Valley, Illinois
In 1901, the Reverend Andrew Drewnicki, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Spring Valley, Illinois, sent a request to the Franciscan Sisters of Blessed Kunegunda (the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago’s original congregational name) to have Sisters staff and teach at his newly established school. Click here to read article.
A New Design for Heritage Hall
On the first floor of Our Lady of Victory Convent is a room dedicated to the extensive history and legacy of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago. This room is called Heritage Hall and it documents the start of the Congregation. Click here to read article.
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The Heroic Sister
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A brief history of St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr in Cragin (Chicago) and the tale of bravery of a Franciscan Sister of Chicago. Click here to read article.