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"Magdalen, the Listener"
by Sister Regina Boyle, OSF
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The Sisters of St. Francis
of Penance and Christian Charity were founded by Catherine Damen
in Holland in 1835. Catherine chose St. Francis of Assisi as her
model and spiritual father and changed her name to Magdalen. A woman
of great simplicity, she spoke little and labored much, insisting
"God will provide." Her simplicity of purpose brought
conviction and launched a committed following. Her community soon
spread throughout The Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Indonesia, Brazil
and the United States. Later the community spread to the Philippines,
Mexico, Tanzania and Guatemala. |
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In 1874, the German sisters sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and
settled in Buffalo, New York. Twelve years later, in 1886, the
sisters agreed to do missionary work with the Lakota Sioux Native
Americans. They came by train to St. Francis Mission on the Rosebud
Reservation and in 1888, to the Holy
Rosary Mission in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Later missions
were established in Nebraska, North Dakota, and Denver, Colorado.
The Sacred Heart Provincial Offices are now located in Denver,
Colorado at Marycrest.
Responding in trust to our mission is the gift these daughters
of Magdalen Damen, our Foundress, left to us. We treasure this
heritage and are eager to add our own lived experience to this
rich tradition. The Rule of the Third Order
Regular of St. Francis provides the foundation for our way
of life.
Today, our commitment and mission is still that of reaching out
to those in need. To companion a person in realizing a new and
better life is the guiding spirit of our ministry.
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Trust in God;
God will provide. |
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Our
Life
As Franciscan Women, we seek new ways of living and communicating the
Gospel. We strive for conversion of heart in our relationship with God,
with others and with all creation. With Jesus Christ, Bread broken and
shared, we work for justice and peace and for the transformation of
society. As Women of Hope, we choose life and denounce all that threatens
it. We collaborate with others who witness Gospel values and the presence
of God within all persons of good will.
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