The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis

Memories of Life at St. Francis Hospital

“All for God’s greater honor and glory.”

In a small town in the upper peninsula in Michigan a small group of Sisters are waking up to do God’s work in the hospital. The mission is rewarding but the people are poor and some have no health insurance. The mission is not a money making business but God’s people are sick and infirm. They are not turned away though, but are cared for, “for what you do to the least of My brothers, you do for Me.”

It’s a cool, crisp day and the mourning doves are waking up too and cooing in their own mournful way. The Sisters are quiet and go about their personal duties. They usually wait for another Sister to meet. On the way to the hospital, we are guided by the many stars that seem to be so close you can almost touch them. Later in the winter months ahead, the northern lights too flash on the horizon. One could spend an hour just admiring the immensity of God’s creation. But time and the work for the day is waiting for us. It is now about 5 am. Our morning prayer and office are said together in the big chapel in the hospital before Mass which is at 6 AM. The hospital is about a block away from the Convent. The little walk from the convent can be most interesting. A great grandfather skunk could be ahead of you. So you make room for him. But he takes his time and we go another route. A deer may run past you but they are fast and harmless. In the wintertime our hospital night watchman comes into the convent garage and brings us to the hospital. All we have to do is call our telephone operator and in no time he is there.

Our Chapel in the hospital is a beautiful sanctuary; small enough and big enough to be with your Lord and Master anytime you need Him. He is there. The big red sanctuary light keeping our Lord company has never been out since the chapel was dedicated when we moved from the old hospital. On the altar are two amber lights, also burning next to the Tabernacle, which are dedicated for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The big stained glass windows, brought from the old hospital, greet you warmly. (Originally they came from Germany.) We quietly go about helping with the setting up for the Mass. A few faithful are already there. When our Sister sacristan has seen to all the details, we pray our Office together and wait for our Chaplain, who has quarters in the hospital. He is never late. Our Lord must smile at our feeble efforts to pay homage to our Creator. We receive our Lord and are sustained by His Love and Care. A brand new day has started for the little group.

So we carry on the tradition of St. Francis; to care for the sick and to bind up their wounds.