Hospital Sisters of St. Francis

12/24/2025

We pray that you experience the spirit of Christmas, which is peace, the blessing of Christmas, which is love, from the heart of Christmas, which is Jesus Christ.

10/23/2025

https://catholictimes.dirxion.com/Catholic-Times-10262025-e-Edition/1/

05/08/2025

God bless Pope Leo XIV.

04/22/2025

Let us be inspired by Pope Francis: forgiveness, social justice, caring for the planet, concern for the marginalized, and compassion for all.

03/25/2025

Today we celebrate The Feast of the Annunciation when the archangel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

We have chosen this Feast to announce the virtual experience of our Heritage Museum in Poverello Hall. Originally designed by PGAV Destinations (St. Louis, MO) and dedicated on February 2, 2011, our museum shares the story of our Community through our charism to be and to bring Christ’s healing presence. Now, through the creativity of Crowdson Creative Video Production (Springfield, IL), we share this experience with the world.

May all who visit this museum be inspired to recognize their opportunity to be a bearer of peace and love each day of their life.

Click here to visit the museum:
http://hospitalsisters.org/index.cfm?pID=3645&redirectedFrom=443

03/05/2025

02/27/2025

We hosted representatives of HSHS St. John's Hospital on Tuesday in honor of their 150th anniversary. Sister Maureen O'Connor, Superior, stated: "We thank you for your commitment to HSHS St. John’s Hospital and we give you this sacred trust with confidence that you will bring forth the healing presence to those you serve."
They received a candle for these Sisters who founded St. John's Hospital on November 11, 1875: Mother Angelica Ratte, OSF (1832-95), Sister Basilia Menting, OSF (1839-1918), Sister Crispina Topp, OSF (1850-1926), Sister Cyrilla Witte, OSF (1832-1911), and Sister Ulrika Busch, OSF (1851-1913).

02/08/2025

This week I want to respond to the criticism some political leaders have leveled against the Catholic Church, charging that we are misusing federal funding for refugee settlement and that such ministries prove that the church is more concerned with its “bottom line” rather than the humanitarian ...

01/16/2025

We participated in the Nov. 7 Armchair Tour that highlighted the work in Springfield of the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, Dominican Sisters of Springfield, and the Ursuline Sisters.

Please read about this event:

https://www.globalsistersreport.org/columns/religious-life/we-gathered-we-told-stories-we-ate-pie

01/16/2025

Comment with some love to the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis on the 150th anniversary (Jan. 14) of HSHS St. John's Hospital in Springfield! Bishop Paprocki celebrated Mass in their chapel saying, "Today we honor the pioneers who founded St. John’s Hospital 150 years ago. In our Eucharist today, we thank the Lord for leading us to salvation and for those who carry on His healing mission in our world today." Thank you Sisters!

01/07/2025

Remarks from Sister Maureen O’Connor, OSF, Superior

Today, January 6, 2025, we begin the celebration of our 150th anniversary – a historic year for our community. 150 years ago, in the year 1875, the Kulturkampf raged with ever-increasing violence in Prussia and we had to fear that we would be banished just like other religious. Bishop Peter Baltes of Alton, Illinois, felt that the time had come to supply a pressing need of charitable Sisters who would provide health care services in his diocese. He wrote to the Motherhouse in Muenster, Germany to request they consider sending Sisters for this opportunity. In a letter from Mother General Bernhardine to Bishop Baltes, she explained that his appeal was granted because the acceptance of new members had become impossible due to the new religious laws. From this letter, our story in America begins and may this candle shine throughout this anniversary year as a symbol of our legacy.

Following the letter to Bishop Baltes, Mother Bernhardine sent a letter requesting volunteers to serve in America, and 20 Sisters were chosen. On the 6th day of each month, we will commemorate this anniversary. The 6th day of the month is significant because it was on November 6, 1875, that our 20 founding Sisters arrived in Alton, IL. Those 20 Sisters were brave and selfless as they walked into an unknown land. While we cannot know all the hardships they faced, we are certain of the results of their labors. The legacy they established has brought Christ’s healing presence to many people over these 150 years and the hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin are a living example of what their trust and perseverance brought to life. As we embark on this year-long celebration, let us be thankful for those first sisters. The candles that will be brought forward will be shared with our 4 hospitals who also are celebrating their 150th anniversary this year. Representatives from the hospitals will visit here in the upcoming months.

In honor of the founders of St. John’s Hospital (Springfield, IL):
Mother Angelica, Sister Cyrilla, Sister Basilia, Sister Crispina, and Sister Ulrika

In honor of the founders of St. Francis Hospital (Litchfield, IL):
Sister Augustina, Sister Fridolina, and Sister Rosa

In honor of the founders of St. Anthony’s Hospital (Effingham, IL):
Sister Euphemia, Sister Fortunata, and Sister Franziska

In honor of the founders of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital (O'Fallon, IL):
Sister Gerburgis, Sister Jovita, and Sister Silvana

In honor of the Sisters who served in Alton, IL:
Sister Zosima and Sister Macaria

In honor of the Sisters who served in East St. Louis, IL:
Sister Rolendis, Sister Henriette, Sister Aurelia, and Sister Cassiana