Locations
One of St Francis’ principles has served as a guideline for our Congregation: To go where the need is great and where people crave help, comfort, and perspectives. Consequently, the Sisters who were sent out into the world would not only care for the sick but also build hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and schools. Over time, they gathered like-minded people around them. This is how today’s locations on three continents came into being.
?!English was chosen as the common language of the international Congregation so that all the Sisters can communicate with each other. For many Sisters, this is their third language as is the case for the Vietnamese our South Korean Sisters in the Japan Province, all of whom also study Japanese. Our Indian Sisters’ native tongue may be any one of the 121 Indian languages, with Hindi as their first foreign language.
Here is an overview of the international commitment of our congregation. More information can be found on the local websites.
German Province
| Motherhouse: | Münster |
| Founded: | 1844 |
| Sisters: | 249 |
Polish Province
| Motherhouse: | Ołdrzychowice Kłodzkie |
| Founded: | 1848 |
| Sisters: | 88 |
U.S. Canonical House
| Motherhouse: | Springfield, IL |
| Founded: | 1875 |
| Sisters: | 35 |
Japanische Provinz
| Motherhouse: | Himeji |
| Founded: | 1948 |
| Sisters: | 52 |
Indian Province
| Motherhouse: | Raipur |
| Founded: | 1973 |
| Sisters: | 100 |
German Province
In 1844, the first Sisters began their nursing ministry in Telgte, Germany. The Congregation grew rapidly and founded its first hospital as early as 1848; many other facilities followed. The hospitals sponsored by the Congregation were incorporated into St. Francis Foundation in 2004. Today, the Sisters oversee several homes for the elderly as well as guest houses. For more than 30 years, the Sisters have managed an outpatient AIDS hospice service in Berlin. Some of the Sisters serve on a memorial site for victims of the Nazi regime in Esterwegen, and others work in pastoral care.
Polish Province
In 1848, the young German Congregation learned of a cholera epidemic and famine in Silesia (now Poland). Four German Sisters from Muenster traveled to Poland to help and they stayed. This commitment led to the foundation of the Silesian – now Polish – Province with its Motherhouse in Ołdrzychowice Kłodzkie (formerly Ullersdorf). The Polish Sisters are dedicated to caring for the sick and elderly along with people with special needs. They manage nursing homes and guest houses and are active in community work in Poland and Kazakhstan.
U.S. Canonical House
In 1875, the religious community was asked for support by a bishop from the United States. As a result, 20 Sisters from Muenster crossed the Atlantic and traveled to the state of Illinois; their Motherhouse was built in the capital Springfield. The Sisters became involved in nursing, founded the first nursing school in the United States and within a few years built eleven hospitals in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin. In 1978, these hospitals became affiliates of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS).
Japan Province
In 1948, two Sisters from the American Province were sent to Japan to establish a new mission. This commitment led to the foundation of the Japan Province in 1977. The Motherhouse in Himeji is home to Sisters from Japan, Vietnam and South Korea. The Sisters are involved in nursing, education, and social work.
Indian Province
In 1973, two Sisters from the German Province went to Pithora in India as missionaries. At first, they were primarily involved in nursing and caring for orphans. Since then, a large, active Province has developed which is committed to fostering health and education throughout India.
