Founded by Sophia Camille Truszkowska in 1855, the Felician Sisters are formally known as the Congregation of Saint Felix of Cantalice Third Order Regular of Saint Francis of Assisi, a religious institute, approved by the Holy See, whose members take vows of chastity, poverty and obedience to the evangelical way of life. Prior to founding the Felician Sisters, Truszkowska had been a member of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, and a lay member of the Franciscan Third Order. The Felician Sisters is a reference to the Shrine of Saint Felix of Cantilice at a nearby Capuchin church, in Warsaw, Poland. The Felician Sisters had its beginnings in 19th century Poland, which had ceased to exist as a nation in 1795, and was struggling under the oppression of foreign rulers. In 1857, the Felician Sisters adopted the Franciscan habit, and Truszkowska took the new name of Mary Angela. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1993. Most Felician Sisters maintain the religious garb of their founder, Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska, which is a brown habit, scapular, headdress, a black veil, collar, a Felician wooden crucifix suspended on tape or cord, and a simple ring that is received at final profession. In summer months, they may choose a beige habit. As part of the Catholic Volunteer Network, the North American Province of the Felician Sisters has a Felician Volunteers in Mission program that offers both short and long-term service opportunities to lay people, both men and women, who are interested in working with the Sisters in serving the disadvantaged. The Felician Sisters provinces are principally in Poland and North America, while its Generalate resides in Rome, Italy. In North America since 1874, the Felician Sisters have ministered primarily to Polish Americans, offering a form of social mobility to young Polish women. The congregation is largely concerned with education, but it is also involved in caring for orphans, the aged, and the sick.
Recommended Resources
The Jackson, Michigan facility is operated by the Felician Sisters, who are offering a Montessori style preschool and kindergarten program for children from three to six years of age, and an infant, toddler, preschool, and kindergarten readiness program for those who are two to six years of age. Its curriculum, mission, and vision are discussed, and its curriculum, learning philosophies, location, and contacts are included.
https://felicianchildrenscenter.org/
The Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Felix of Cantalice were founded by Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska in Poland. A history of the Roman Catholic religious institute and a biography of its founder are set forth, with information about the organization’s partner groups, ministries, missions, and vocations. Prayer requests may be made from the site, and contact information is included.
http://feliciansisters.org/
Felician Services accounts to the Provincial Council for the integrity of the Felician Mission in each of the Felician Ministries in North America, its services including mission integration and Catholic identity, strategic governance, operational leadership, program and service quality, financial viability, and corporate responsibility. Its history, sponsorships and sponsored ministries, corporate services, and assessment resources are discussed, and leader orientation resources are put forth.
http://felicianservices.org/
Felician Sisters of North America
The Felician Sisters arrived in North America in 1874, coming first to Polonia, Wisconsin, a frontier town with a largely Polish population, soon establishing a presence in several U.S. states, and Canada as well. Its locations, way of life, and service are discussed, along with information on becoming a Felician Sister, vocation stories, and its formation process, as well as a calendar of events and contacts.
http://feliciansistersna.org/
The private Roman Catholic university has two campuses, in Lodi and Rutherford, New Jersey. Founded by the Felician Sisters as the Immaculate Conception Normal School in 1923, it has changed names a few times before taking its present name in 2015. Its history, Felician Franciscan ministries, academic programs and degrees offered, admissions and financial aid policies, and alumni services are put forth.
https://www.felician.edu/
Located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Felician Village is a Catholic continuing care retirement community that offers senior living facilities that include rehabilitation services, independent living arrangements, assisted living apartments and a group home, and a nursing home/skilled nursing facility. Each of these options are discussed, and its administration and board are identified, along with career and volunteer opportunities, resident testimonials, and contacts.
http://www.felicianvillage.org/
