For two hundred years, Angela’s Sisters lived only in Assisi. They witnessed to the Gospel by their prayer, common life and works of mercy, providing an education for young girls in a school attached to the convent. The call of Christ, mediated through an invitation of the Conventual Franciscan Friars, led this branch to reach out. More than one hundred years later, we are Sisters living all over the globe. Visit our Mission Center. We witness to the Gospel by our prayer, common life and works of mercy, continuing the mission of Christ, characterized by both “new evangelization” and mission ad gentes. Our Institute’s Recent History 1919 The Sisters opened two orphanages in Romania to care for children who had lost their parents in the war. During communist rule in 1947, the Sisters were obliged to return to their familial homes. In 1989, with great joy, they were able to reopen their convents and continue their ongoing works of mercy. Most Romanians are Orthodox Catholics. Our Sisters use ecumenical dialogue to clarify our own identity and to learn about theirs. Their main concern is addressing the needs of suffering children and performing pastoral ministry to families. They maintain daycare/afterschool centers for children to have a safe place to do homework, eat a hot lunch, wash, and receive an education. The Sisters also treat children with AIDS and organize adoptions-at-a-distance. In this faces of the poor, they see Christ, who is the center of their mission and their lives. 1934 Constitutions approved. 1937 The mission in Greece closed, and our Sisters opened a new mission in Turkey, which remained open until 1978. Many other missions in Italy would begin over the next few decades. 1942 Albania: A group of Sisters worked in schools, hospitals, and teaching catechism in Albania, until the government expelled them from the country three years later. 1958 Japan The Sisters primary activities regard the mentally disabled, nursery school students and their families, and others who have difficulty within fast-paced Japanese society. They are involved in ecumenical dialogue with Protestants and Anglicans. Recently our Sisters attended an inter-religious anti-war protest in Tokyo, where we joined Sisters of other congregations as well as Buddists, Daoists, Protestants, and Muslims. 1959 In Brazil, our Sisters seek to better the health and religious education of women and children. In formation classes they find it important to cultivate Christian and Franciscan moral values. Their shelter is open to children whose mothers need someone to look after them while they are at work. The Sisters have had opportunities to work with the very poor, with people who have leprosy, and with women and children living with HIV. 1960 Zambia has been very receptive to our Sisters. As numbers grew, they have cared for the sick and disabled, opened schools, and been active in pastoral care. 1961 Croatia: Near our community are a hospital and a rest home for the elderly. From time to time, the Sisters visit the sick and the elderly. The Sisters bring communion for those who cannot attend Mass. They try to give them the brotherly love that they need in their loneliness. 1961 USA: Sisters care for the elderly and those who are alone. Pastoral ministry and religious education in parishes have been priorities. Their Viceprovincial House offers a place for groups to make spiritual retreats. 1975 Australia: Sisters reached Australia with the intention of serving Italian immigrants. They opened a house to care for the elderly, a preschool, and brought people back to participate in the Church through catechism. In 1979, they left Australia due to a lack of vocations. 1980 Korea: Since the first Sisters formed a gathering in Korea, our Sisters have been able to expand to rural areas. Recently they sent a group of four to China to care for lepers; there they can only witness to their faith by their actions. Today the Sisters in the province number over 100. 1982 Third Order Regular Rule renewed. 1990 Kenya: Not only have the Sisters helped poor families and helped educate their children, they have also provided guidance for small Third Order groups. 1996 Philippines: The Sisters approach the poor, the homeless, and prostitutes, those who most need our help. They provide food and religious assistance to children in before and after school programs. They are thankful for the experience of solidarity and faith among the poor. 2001 General Council At the latest General Council, plans were made for the future of the Institute. Goals include finding unity in plurality, developing solidarity and mutual support among branches of the Institute, and sharing our spirituality with the laity. We decided to continue research into the history of the Institute to better understand our spiritual heritage, and to rediscover our charism. 2002 China: Our Korean sisters staff the rehabilitation center for lepers alongside visiting Catholic volunteers and government employees. Our center has the atmosphere of a family home. Through our invisible presence and ministry, we offer a positive experience of Christian values to the people of China. 2003 Russia: Except along the main street of our city, everyone you meet is poor. Our sisters staff a soup kitchen three times a week at the OFM Conv friary. They serve bread with warm tea and broth, and talk with the 140 people who come to eat. Men tell them that they are devastated after being released from jail; women tell them they are living alone after their husbands left them, and young people say that they grew up in orphanages and now are on their own. Many have no steady jobs. In their suffering, our Sisters recognize Christ. They offer what they can: encouragement, comfort, or simply the willingness to listen. The occasions when they see a smile are very beautiful. 2003 Indonesia: A small group of Sisters, near the Conventual Friars’ parish, live in Indonesia as witnesses to their faith among the Muslim population. http://www.assisisolidaleonlus.com/Saint%20Francis%20Convent.htmlshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1
Sisters at our international meeting in Assisi Viceprovince of the Immaculate Conception, USA
Missionary Branches
Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi (Suore Francescane Missionarie di Assisi - SFMA)
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