Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart

In 1866, our founder Father Wilhelm Berger envisioned a community of Sisters who would do "works of neighborly love". For over 125 years the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart have continued in the spirit of their founder to be responsive to the needs of the Church in serving the people of God with open hearts and loving hands.

We joyously live out our Mission Statement each day with Franciscan love and joy! In addition to serving within the Congregation, Sisters minister as pastoral associates and provide services within parishes in many ways. We also have Sisters who serve on the diocesan level offering their gifts and talents in a variety of ways, as well as offering services to other religious congregations.

We reach out with loving care through a ministry of educating children, teens and adults.

Our Sisters have been called to serve in schools as teachers and administrators; to work in parishes as directors of religious education programs; to minister in campus ministry programs. We reach out with loving care to promote healing of spirit, mind and body in healthcare ministries as nurses, pastoral care ministers, lab technicians, pharmacists, development coordinators and clerical assistants. We also work through social service agencies to reach out to those in need.


We touch heart and soul at the PORTIUNCULA Center for Prayer, opened at St. Francis Woods in Frankfort, Illinois, in 1986, as a place for retreats and spiritual renewal. Since that time, services have expanded to include massage therapy and bodywork


	We reach out with loving care to serve the poor in Brazil. Responding to the plea for missionaries from Pope John XXIII, in 1964 four sisters courageously traveled to Brazil where we continue to serve. Through the generous support of benefactors and friends our ministry there continues to grow, providing loving service for many.


Through WoodSong Music Ministries the talents of our Sisters unite with those of lay women and men to bring the gift of music and harmony to our world offering comfort and peace.