Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart

"Sisters of mercy...joyous and poor": a union of the ideals of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Francis of Assisi. This is the vision that inspired a young parish priest, Father Wilhelm Berger to found a group of women dedicated to the pursuit of holiness through the works of neighborly love.

Father Wilhelm Berger

Sister Coletta Himmelsbach

In 1866, Sister Coletta Himmelsbach and three other daring young women in Seelbach, Germany accepted the challenge to serve the poor, the sick and the aging of their village. From this small group grew the Congregation now known as the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart.

Sister Coletta’s home in Seelbach, Germany

From the early years of the Congregation, the Sisters spent long, hard hours serving those in physical and spiritual need. The Sisters worked on the battlefield nursing the wounded of the Franco-Prussion War. They cared for the sick in their homes, nursed victims of the plagues of smallpox and typhoid fever. They taught the young and opened their convent doors to the orphans and to the elderly. All who sought help found it given joyfully by the Sisters.

Sisters with Father Berger on balcony at Trettenhof Motherhouse in

Seelbach, Germany


	When the climate in Germany changed during the period known as the "Kulturkampf" the Sisters were asked to disband or find a new home in a new land. With deep, silent faith they sought in prayer to know the best response. Before they made their final decision, the Rev. D. Duehmig from America invited Mother Anastasia Bischler and the Sisters to this country. Mother Anastasia Bischler

In 1876, the Sisters set sail for America and arrived in the Diocese of Fort Wayne, Indiana and settled first in the town of Avilla. Later, circumstances drew the Sister's Motherhouse to Illinois, first to Joliet and now to its present location in Frankfort.

1883 - Motherhouse transferred to

Joliet, Illiniois

Over the years, the Sisters have continued to answer the call for help in many communities including Illinois, California, and Brazil. Their heritage of industry and discipline has equipped them to adapt to the needs of the times and local customs. Their deep trust in Divine Providence continually supports their readiness to become involved in a diversity of needed services.