The Institute of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi was founded in 1702 by the Tertiary Angela Maria Del Giglio and by the Friar Minor Conventual Father Joseph Anthony Marcheselli. He called us a “piccola adunanza,” a small gathering. Following the path that our founders laid before us, we perform works of mercy including education, hospitality, helping poor families, and assisting the sick. Prayer and fraternal life are priorities according to Franciscan spirituality and our founders’ charism. “In following Christ in continual conversion and in humility, we live fraternal love, poverty, acceptance, joy, peace, confidence in God who provides for tomorrow, the prayer of praise and of thanksgiving, in loving fidelity to the Church. … We commit ourselves to perform every service in a spirit of minority, simplicity, and in Franciscan joy” (Constitutions 3.2, 3.5). Our Institute’s Early History 1702 Small gathering at Assisi. Father Joseph Anthony Marcheselli, a Conventual priest, and Angela Maria Del Giglio, a Franciscan Tertiary, dreaming of life in imitation of Christ and in service of the poor, gathered young women to become a new religious family in Assisi. 1736 Sister Angela died, having guided her Sisters by her model life of prayer and service. “She ran this house with prudence and zeal for around thirty-four years. She was very strict, but very loving at the same time,” wrote her niece. Angela is buried in the chapel of the Crucifix in the Lower Basilica of St. Francis. 1742 Father Joseph Anthony died. His legacy includes his written guide to Francis’ rule and the archives he set up for the religious community. He provided for the Sisters’ spirituality with attention to daily practice. 1810 Under Napoleon’s rule, life was difficult for the seven Sisters who struggled to keep their school open, despite the government’s appropriating convents and other religious buildings. 1860 Italy, a newly united nation, tried to stamp out monasteries and religious institutes. Only three Sisters continued to live their vision. 1902 A mission-minded Church expands our ministry. Under the guidance of Mother Maddalena Martini, and at the invitation of the Conventuals, a group of Sisters accompanied Friars to a mission in Greece the following year. Their mission provided a school for the daughters of Italian immigrants.
Spiritual Roots
Fraternity Mission Spirituality
Mother Angela’s school, a response to the needs of young women in Assisi, was connected to the convent by an arch she had built just before she died.Story%20of%20Arch.htmlshapeimage_6_link_0
It was Lent in 1702 when Father Marcheselli’s preaching inspired Angela.Founder%20and%20Foundress.htmlshapeimage_7_link_0
These floor tiles in our founding house mark the year when Father Marcheselli definitively remained in Assisi, and led our early Sisters. Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi (Suore Francescane Missionarie di Assisi - SFMA) Viceprovince of the Immaculate Conception, USA
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