The Felician Sisters of North America joyfully invite you to view a special Mass honoring the pioneering spirit of our five founding Sisters who arrived in Polonia, Wisconsin, 150 years ago and established their first ministry. This event commemorates their courageous journey from Poland in 1874 and celebrates the impact of their enduring mission. Following the Mass, a historical marker will be unveiled.
Click here for the livestream Polonia Mass
at 11 a.m. CST on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
The Felician Sisters began their ministry led by Mother Mary Monica Sybilska and four other Sisters—Sister Mary Cajetan Jankiewicz, Sister Mary Vincentine Kalwa, Sister Mary Raphael Swozeniowska and Sister Mary Wenceslaus Zubrzycka. From those humble beginnings, the congregation has grown to serve across North America, establishing schools, hospitals and numerous ministries dedicated to education, healthcare and social services.
Today, the Felician Sisters of North America are a vibrant congregation rooted in the Franciscan tradition, inspired by the spiritual ideals of their Foundress, Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska, and Saint Francis of Assisi. Their presence continues to focus on supporting those in need through more than 50 ministries in schools, parishes, prisons, healthcare and social service agencies.
My Dear Friends,
Luke’s Gospel tells the story of Mary’s visit to her cousin, Elizabeth. In that encounter, Mary praises God with these memorable words: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” This has been our traditional song of praise and thanksgiving since the very beginning. On this 150th Anniversary of Felician Sister presence in North America, we sing Mary’s song with hearts full of gratitude for God’s mercy that is from age to age.
As we reflect on the history, we acknowledge with gratitude that our congregation has been God’s instrument of peace, healing and support across time and place. Let us savor the memories that we share and the dreams that well up within us, imagining our charism and our mission into a future full of hope.
Marty Haugen has written a hymn text that is based on the Letter to the Hebrews, chapter 12, verses 1-3. Here is the first verse and refrain of “A Great Cloud of Witnesses”:
By God’s grace we were blessed to have heroes, strong and true,
shining bright through our long and weary nights.
Even now they are near, in our hearts that shine anew,
still abiding, ever guiding us to light.
And a great cloud of witnesses surrounds us;
they are here, they are with us in this fight.
In the trials we must face, they are unexpected grace,
still abiding, ever guiding us to light.
Yes, indeed we have been blessed by a great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us and now stand with us as together we seek to build God’s “kin-dom” on this earth. Not only they, but all those who stand with us—sisters, associates, lay colleagues, ministry partners, staff, family, friends, donors—are all “unexpected grace.” With Dag Hammarskjöld, (Secretary General of the United Nations from 1953-1961), we exclaim: “For all that has been, thanks; for all that is to come, yes!”
Peace and all good things! Happy Anniversary!
S Judith M Kubicki
Provincial Minister
It is a precious heritage we are part of for the future decades to follow.May God through the intercession of the Immaculate heart of Mary continue
To bless us and all our endeavors!
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota where we attended St Adalbert’s Catholic Church. The school was taught by The Felician sisters. Our family and my mother’s family, the Pawlak’s, were members for many years. There were three brothers in our family and all three went to St. Adalbert’s. My older brother, Francis graduated about 1942-43, I graduated in 1949 and my younger brother, John in 1955. We all spoke Polish at home. I had to learn English at school. Sister Fulgencia was a long time teacher of First Grade at St Adalbert’s. She also taught Latin to the altar boys. Franus, Jozio i Jasiu. I have always remembered The Felician Sisters. My father and his sister, Antonet, and my grandparents, immigrated from Sanok, Poland in 1913 just before WWI began.