“I have done what was mine to do, now may you do what is yours.” -St. Francis of Assisi

Catholic Sisters Week began in 2015 as a part of National Women’s History Month. Fifty-two weeks a year, women religious stand with the poor and immigrants, teach children, fight injustice, heal the sick, share spirituality, empower women, defend the planet, promote peace, create community, and offer hope. But for one week, March 8-14, the Catholic community shines the spotlight on women religious and invite all who follow Jesus to:

• Expand and support their gospel witness
• Grow the service networks they have seeded
• Share their spirituality, charisms, and community
• Encourage young women to consider a vocation to religious life
• Support their pastoral, teaching and prophetic works
• Focus on the new world they call into being

“The Hospital Sisters of St. Francis are women who have dedicated their lives to and for the love of Christ Jesus, and to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Their public vows made to God, through the church and community, are the manifestation of a life of simplicity and service to the sick and poor,” explains Mary Salm, Director of Spiritual Care and Mission Integration for Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) Wisconsin and DCMC.

The sisters are members of an International Congregation of Franciscan Sisters with Provinces in German, Poland, the USA, Japan, and India. As Franciscan religious, they strive to live the spirit of St. Francis by living simply, loving honestly and humbly serving one another and all of God’s people.