Our Franciscan Heritage
The origins of the Franciscan Order are in the penitential movement that pre-dated Saint Francis by 600 years. Early biographies of Saint Francis of Assisi relate the wisdom that prompted him to establish three distinct patterns of Gospel life. When penitents asked for spiritual direction, he offered guidelines that became the foundation of the third form of Gospel life. Franciscan lay penitents began living in community, professing vows, and doing works of charity. Francis was capable of expanding his vision to allow for different lifestyles. His was an inclusive vision and everyone can share his inspiration concerning the Mystery of Salvation. The fruit of this flexibility and zeal is found in the many religious congregations within the Third Order Regular. The distinctions among the three Franciscan Orders do not imply status, but emphases in spirituality and mission. (Rule of the Third Order of the Franciscan Brothers and Sisters).The Franciscan Sisters of Peace, who follow Christ after the example of Saint Francis and Saint Clare of Assisi, are rightly called latter-day penitents, who wish to incarnate one of several aspects of Franciscan Gospel life, namely, peace. Peace is the fruit of a life based on four fundamental values: contemplative prayer, conversion, poverty, and minority (humility). Fraternity (community) is the social reality of committed relationships in which our Sisters live out their Gospel witness.
In 1865, three Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart came from Gemona, Italy to New York City to minister to the needs of German immigrants. In 1890, the Sisters founded the Saint Francis Province in Peekskill, New York. In 1986, 112 vowed women of the Saint Francis Province co-founded an Institute that embodies a new expression of the charism of Saint Francis: peace. The Franciscan Sisters of Peace are rooted in the pioneering spirit, faith and trust in Divine Providence characteristic of the early pioneering sisters.
The founding Franciscan Sisters of Peace and Associates