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Heritage

Caring for Generations of Families Since 1894

The Franciscan Sisters of Chicago was established in 1894 when Josephine Dudzik, later known as Mother Mary Theresa, a young Polish immigrant, came to Chicago and was moved to action by the great need she saw among the city’s aged, infirm and poor.

This feeling resulted in the formation of a religious congregation of women who founded St. Joseph Home of Chicago, the first Catholic nursing home in Chicago. For more than 125 years, the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago have dedicated their lives and ministry to education and health care, as well as pastoral and social services, in response to the unmet needs of the underserved and less fortunate throughout the United States, in the spirit of Jesus, St. Francis Assisi and our Foundress Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik.


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Today, Franciscan Ministries sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, continues our foundress’ mission to serve those in need by continuing to care for generations of families. We own and operate premier senior living communities that offer a spectrum of housing and care options. We also provide community-based services including home care and child care. Through charitable programs we operate including a domestic violence shelter and provide educational support for students attending an all-girls Catholic high school.