The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis

Sister Faustina’s Vocation Story

When I was 36 years old, I was working as an LPN in a nursing home, had my own house, my own car, my friends. I thought my life was "all set!" I went to Mass daily after work, was active in Pro-Life activities...

I thought to myself, "What more is there in life?!" Well, GOD was preparing to answer that question in a way I never expected. In December of 1998, I went to confession just before Christmas at a penance service. I confessed to a priest I didn't know. He asked me, "have you ever thought about being a sister?" I was really shocked and didn't really know what to say. I prayed about it, and decided to let go of it.

Six months later, I was praying with a group of Pro-Life friends at an abortion clinic-there was a priest with us that I again, didn't know! After the prayer service, he turned and asked me, "Have you ever thought about being a sister?" By this time, I knew GOD was really pursuing me. All I could do was PRAY with all my heart to really know the WILL of GOD! After a few months of "on my own prayer time" I realized that I really needed some help to discern this call. I called the priest I met at the prayer vigil at the abortion clinic and asked for spiritual direction, which Father very generously gave. I still spent a lot of time in prayer, especially in front of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

I filled out a "vocations discernment" postcard with information on my occupation, age, etc. Within a couple of weeks, I started receiving brochures on communities from all over the country. The first one I received was from the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis of East Peoria. I called the vocations director and asked two specific questions. First, "Do you wear a religious habit?" Secondly, "Are you obedient to the Holy Father?" When sister answered "YES" to both questions, I knew I had to come and see. Of course, I was very enthused about their apostolate-Healthcare!!!

On my first visit, I sat and talked with the vocations director and was impressed by her joy and love for Christ in her religious life. I had one main challenge in mind, however. I didn't know how to tell my family about this vocation discernment. I was a Catholic convert from age 11 and the only Catholic in my family. Sister encouraged me to tell my family as soon as possible so that dialogue could begin and some of the stress from this announcement could be resolved early in the discernment process. After a great deal of prayer, I told my family of my vocation discernment. It was difficult at first, but as time went on, they realized that I was seriously considering this. They didn't understand, but eventually they said, "If this truly makes you happy, we want what you want!" Then, the next challenge was to get my house ready for sale. Much work had to be done to "fix it up!" I needed to learn how to budget my money more wisely and say "NO!" to some of the things in life that I thought were so "necessary." As my house repairs were being completed, I realized that GOD was teaching me to save money and truly strive toward a truly worthwhile goal! These two challenges helped me to let go of the attachments in life and really begin to "Seek GOD!" Of course, I still love my family--and they love me! And, as for the house, I can say that I enjoyed my time in the house, but I think GOD allowed me to have it in the first place to enable me to give HIM something that was truly "All Mine!" out of LOVE for HIM!!!!

I am so grateful for this opportunity to SEEK Christ and Love HIM in this community. One passage from the Gospel of St. Matthew comes to mind, "The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all he has and buys it." Mt 13:45-46. I came into this community on August 11, 2002 and my life has been all the better for it. THANKS BE TO GOD!

Sister Joyce’s Vocation Story

I’m from Chicago, but I had met the Sisters at Menominee, Michigan. We used to vacation there and I moved there, thinking I would marry and live there by the water. But, Our Lord had other plans for me.

I wanted to learn more about my faith. I went to visit Father Rogers at St. William Parish. We met once a week then I became involved in the Legion of Mary and the Third Order of St. Francis secular. It was on September 8, 1965 that I received the inspiration for my present work, I found Christ again, and He came to me with a deeper meaning than I had before. I wanted to share that experience with more people. I was working in an IGA grocery store and doing Parish work, teaching catechism, visiting prisoners and the sick, and becoming more and more involved. The inspiration of St. Francis was a compelling one. He lived the Gospels, cared for the sick, and respected and revered the Church.

I had met the Sisters at St. Joseph Hospital at Menominee, Michigan, and felt I must inquire at the novitiate. I found my calling in The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. As a postulant, hungry for God’s Word and teaching, I spent a year in prayer and reflection, studying the vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, studying the Vatican II constitution, Theology and Scripture. Then for two more years, I was a novice, which involved more intense study and theology, and the history of our community and of the Church. Then followed five years under Temporary Vows, working in St. Francis and St. James hospitals. I took my Perpetual Vows on August 6th, 1972. I shall live forever for Christ and the Church, through our Community of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. Commitment is difficult and challenging. To be a Christian is not easy, but the joys of sharing Christ with others in this world is very rewarding and a hundred fold more rewarding in the life to come.

Sister Joyce, O.S.F.

Sister Mary Ruth’s Vocation Story

(Taken from an interview with her.)

My older sister and I had never been baptized, but as children we used to walk about 5 miles to go to Sunday School. Our parents never went to church. My sister and I went to all the different churches, but NOT the Catholic Church!

My sister left home after high school and I followed soon after. We lived in a little bachelor suit in an apartment building on Main Street Peoria. There was one bathroom per floor. My sister had a job in a store downtown. I continued my schooling at Kingman High School. I was walking down to the High School after I had graduated to attend a play, but was hit by a car on the way there. Since I had had quite a bump on the head, the driver of the car, who was Catholic, took me to St. Francis Hospital for x-rays. It was the first time I had ever seen a Sister. She looked about 6 feet tall. (The Sister was actually only about 5’3”, but to me she looked huge.)

Later on, because I wasn’t working, I went to St. Francis Hospital and applied for a job. (I don’t know how I ever got up the courage.) I started working in Obstetrics with Sister Bernadine. (Back then, the people who worked in the hospital lived there too.) I got acquainted with some of the Sisters.

I told Sister Agatha that I was thinking of becoming Catholic and she took me to Father Earnest. He gave me instruction. (“Apparently it was too much for the poor guy, ‘cause he died right after he finished.”)

I continued working in OB under Sister Bernadine for another two years. I had started thinking of entering, so one day I waited until Sister Bernadine had left for a coffee break, and I called the Convent. I asked to speak to the Mistress of Novices. When Sister came back from her break, she said, “So, when are you entering?” (She was the one who answered my phone call .)

My sister was not happy with my becoming Catholic. She told me that she would never come to visit me as long as I was dressed like that! (meaning in habit) But she and her husband both became Catholic about twenty years later.

Sister Loretta’s Vocation Story

I will begin with my parents. My Dad was a patient, loving and hard working individual. Mom was outgoing and aggressive. She never know a stranger and our doors were open for anyone at any time. I grew up on a 160 acre farm, ten miles from the town of Albany, Minnesota. We attended Mass every Sunday and Holy Day. My siblings and I attended the one-room country school, a mile and a half from home. When I was 15 years old we moved to a 480 acre farm and then attended the St. Alexis Church in West Union, Minnesota. Working the farm was a family affair. Our pastor reminded me of a life higher than what the world had to offer. When I was eighteen, I took a job as the head cook at Roberts Pine Beach Hotel, located twelve miles out of Duluth, Minnesota. This was a summer job and in the fall I worked as head cook at the Waldorf Hotel in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. I had a boyfriend and we talked about having a home on the outskirts of Minneapolis and having twelve children.

When the call came, the Lord said He would give me not only the twelve children, but the whole world. I could not resist; it was very strong. I went to our pastor, at St. Alexis and mentioned it to him. He said that he had been waiting for me for two years, because he knew I had a vocation to the religious life. He asked me which community I was considering and I said that I did not know, but that I thought I should become a Franciscan. He gave me five books of different Franciscan communities and when I opened the book for The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, I knew that was it. I closed the book and returned to my pastor and he said he would write the first letter.

So I entered our novitiate on April 16, 1953. And what a vocation it has been! I live daily with the world as my children.