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Bernardine Franciscan Sisters

An Intercultural Congregation of Women Religious

Bernardine Franciscan Sisters: Our Story

In 1894 Mother Veronica Grzedowska and three companions left their cloister in Poland to respond to the educational needs of children of immigrant coal miners in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Twelve years later, the small group of sisters established their Motherhouse in Reading, Pennsylvania. The community grew from four to ninety and the Sisters engaged in teaching and caring for orphans.
Mother Mary Veronica Grzedowska
 Pioneer and First Superior General of the Bernardine Sisters, OSF
As the years progressed and the community grew, the Sisters pursued formal education in teaching, nursing and other professions. Eventually their ministries took them beyond Pennsylvania to the New England States, the mid-West, the mid-Atlantic region, Virginia, Texas, New Mexico, and California. 
Mother Veronica (center) and the growing community of Bernardine Franciscan Sisters in the United States in 1902
Just as missionary zeal impelled Francis of Assisi and Veronica of Warsaw to travel to unknown lands, five Bernardine Sisters left the United States in 1937 to respond to the needs of the Church in Brazil. They rendered services as teachers, health care professionals, social workers, day care providers and advocates for the poor. Once again in 1957, another group of Bernardine missionaries opened schools, a teachers’ college, a clinic and home for handicapped children in Cape Palmas and Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa. Later, the congregation’s missionary spirit also reached the shores of Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic
and Mozambique.

From God came the call and through our patrons, Francis of Assisi and Bernardine of Siena as well as through our foundress, Mother Veronica came the vision. Each set a pace, determined the stride and called forth commitment. Inspired by them, we trust in God’s providential care and the mystery of God’s grace that empowers us to believe that living the Gospel in our world
is our mission.

Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Mission Statement

We, the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, are called by God to live the Gospel in the spirit of Francis of Assisi and Mother Veronica Grzedowska.  As vowed women of the Church we choose to live simply and poorly.  Rooted in contemplative prayer and committed to ongoing conversion, we strive to create communities of love and service wherever we are.  In the Name of Jesus, we reach out in compassionate love, recognizing the dignity and giftedness of each person.   We welcome all as brother and sister.  Faithful to the Church and to our charism, we seek justice, peace and reconciliation, especially as we work with and in behalf of the poor.  Trusting in Divine Providence, we journey in faith and joy, sister and servant to all.

Continuing the Mission in His Name

One hundred twenty-five years later, the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters continue to serve the Church and the people of God in the spirit of Pax et Bonum, (peace and good).

Rooted in contemplative prayer and committed to ongoing conversion, we strive to create communities of love and service wherever we are. In all our ministries we support efforts for global peace and justice. Members of the congregation engage in a diversity of ministries which include: all levels of education, health care, home care, catechetics, social, pastoral, retreat and spiritual ministries, outreach to the poor, and foreign missions.

Currently we are pleased to serve in the following places:
United States

Michigan
Pennsylvania
Virginia
Brazil

Ceará
Paraná
Pernambuco
Rio Grande do Sul
Roraima
Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo
Africa

Liberia
Mozambique

What We Do

In all of our ministries we serve in the spirit of “Pax et Bonum,” (peace and good), as peacemakers who recognize God’s goodness and saving presence in the world. Filled by the Spirit with God’s love for all people, we reach out in a diversity of ministries having concern for the poor in our ministerial commitments.

Our Ministries include:
  • Catechetics
  • Diocesan Ministry
  • Early Education
  • Elementary Education
  • Secondary Education
  • Special Education
  • Elder Care
  • Foreign Missions
  • Higher Education: Alvernia University, which is sponsored by the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters - a Distinctive Franciscan Catholic University.
  • Health Care
  • Home Care
  • Outreach to the Poor
  • Pastoral Ministry
  • Prison Ministry
  • Retreat Ministry
  • Social Ministry
  • Spiritual Direction

Congregational Leadership

Sister John Ann Proach, OSF
Congregational Minister

Sister Sandra Lyons, OSF

Assistant Congregational Minister

Sister Rose Jameson, OSF
Councilor
Sister Jenniffer Acosta Rosario, OSF
Councilor
Sister ZioldéT. de Caldas , OSF
Councilor

Sisters in Action

Photos of our Sisters throughout the world creating communities of love and service.
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