Franciscan Footprints

Yesterday, July 16th was our Founders’ Day. Our community was founded in 1877 by Mother M. Frances Krasse and Bishop John Lancastor Spalding, the first bishop of Peoria. We made a visit to St. Joseph’s Cemetary where our early Sisters are laid to rest. We sang Marian hymns and prayed the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary in thanksgiving for the sacrifices of our pioneer Sisters and for their fidelity to our Lord. May God in His tender mercy grant eternal rest to our beloved Sisters who have gone before us. 

Mother M. Frances Krasse, pray for us!

Bishop John Lancaster Spalding, pray for us!

All our Sisters who have gone home to the Lord, pray for us!

 

 

 

Happy Founders’ Day, Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis!

 On this day in 1877 we were founded by Mother M. Frances Krasse and Archbishop John Lancaster Spalding for the purpose of nursing the sick and poor in Peoria.

Sister Mary John, Sister Agnes Joseph, Sister Magdalen, Sister Rose Therese, and myself made a visit to the temporal resting place of our founders and pioneer Sisters. The first picture above is when we visited the mausoleum of Bishop John Lancaster Spalding, and the first early Bishops of Peoria. The picture below it was taken as we prayed the Rosary at the graves of our pioneer Sisters. Several were called home at an early age. I couldn’t help but reflect on the lives of our early Sisters and the love, faith, and courage they had. I hope that I may one day be with our Lord’s help as loving, faithful, and courageous as they were in their care of the sick and the poor.  

 Mother M. Frances Krasse and Archbishop John Lancaster Spalding pray for us!

Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.

May they rest in peace. Amen.