Who we are

Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Mother Addolorata

Terzo Ordine Regolare di San Francesco d’Assisi, we are a religious community of women who wish to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Through our profession of poverty, chastity and obedience, we work to promote the Kingdom of God. The Rule and life of the brothers and sisters of the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis are our foundation. We follow Jesus as Franciscan religious, according to the vision of our foundress, the Venerable Mother Frances Streitel of the Cross.

We venerate Mary, Mother of Sorrows, whose title we bear, and we look to Mary, virgin and mother, as a model of faith, contemplation of the word of God, humble discipleship and tender compassion (The Way of Our Life no. 1-3).

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When I am lifted up from the earth I will draw everyone to me.
M. Francesca Streitel
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We care for those in need especially the poor.
M. Francesca Streitel
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Every day I love this fruit more
of heaven which is holy poverty.
M. Francesca Streitel
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I have no other desire than to conform to Jesus crucified.
M. Francesca Streitel
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To combine the active life and the contemplative life.
M. Francesca Streitel
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Thank God, a thousand times thanked.
M. Francesca Streitel
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Where there is joy of the soul
there is peace, love and patience.
M. Francesca Streitel
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I will not move away from his Blessed feet until the Crucified love says climb higher and take your place in the middle of my heart.
M. Francesca Streitel
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Teaching and healing in the name of Jesus.
M. Francesca Streitel
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Mission

Through a life dedicated to apostolic service, animated by a contemplative spirit, we dedicate ourselves to those in need, especially the poor (The Way of Our Life no. 4). We, the sisters, share in Jesus’ mission to bring full life to others by revealing God’s love for all (adapted from the mission statement).

“Humanity holds within itself two jewels whose value it rarely appreciates: the poor and the sick” Mother Frances Streitel

Circular/spiral design

The breath of God’s spirit (Ruah) that envelops everything in its creative and redeeming action, like an inexhaustible source of new life.
An inexhaustible source of new life.
A symbol of God to whom we turn in contemplation and towards whom our personal and community life converges.
“Above all, we seek God” ( V.d.n.V. n°4)

Tau crucified

The suffering world, but redeemed by Christ and healed by the life-giving grace of the spirit of the Risen Lord.
“We enter the Paschal Mystery to die to ourselves and to rise intimately united to Christ who, by his life, transforms our death”. (V.d.n.V. n°11)

Mary under the Cross

Mother of God and of the Church, deeply involved in the plan of salvation, she spiritually carries the redeemed in her womb.
The Community, which takes her as its model and helper, is called to serve Love crucified in its brothers and sisters, in joy and poverty, following the example of Saint Francis of Assisi and Mother Frances.
The Community is called to serve Crucified Love in its brothers and sisters, in joy and poverty, following the example of Saint Francis of Assisi and Mother Frances: “we care for those in need, especially the poor, and in our poverty we seek God above all” (V.d.n.V. no. 74) and “we give ourselves unreservedly to Christ as instruments to bring full life to others” (V.d.n.V. no. 51).

Icon

The peaks of charity – The vision of the two mountains

Read the description of our icon.