OUR SISTERS

Restoring and Rebuilding: The Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George

The Sisters of Saint Francis of the Martyr Saint George were founded on November 25, 1869 in Thuine, Germany by Mother M. Anselma Bopp and Father Gerhard Dall. In 1923, missionary Sisters were sent to the United States. Eventually these Sisters moved to Alton, Illinois to establish an American Province of the Congregation. In 1991, the Sisters were sent to form Saint Anselm Convent in Rock Island, Illinois- the first convent house in the Diocese of Peoria. Within the Diocese, they are also present in Champaign and Peoria.

Interestingly, the world-wide congregation’s Rule and Constitutions were formally approved and accepted by Pope Saint Pius X! Our parish patron proclaimed our Christian call “to restore all things in Christ” and their community patron, St. Francis, heard from the Cross, “Rebuild My Church.” The Sisters hope to renew and enflame our Parish Family through God’s tender and merciful love. The Community’s charism flows from the pierced and Sacred Heart of Jesus- to make Christ’s merciful love visible. The Sisters do this through the various apostolates entrusted to them from Holy Mother Church.

The Sisters continue their nearly 30 years of various ministries in the Rock Island area. Sister M. Bernadette is the senior Theology teacher at Alleman Catholic High School. Sister M. Michael is the sophomore Theology teacher at Alleman Catholic High School. Sister M. Mercedes teaches religion in the middle school of Jordan Catholic School.

For more information on their community, you can visit their website: www.altonfranciscans.org.