Franciscan Sisters Minor (Fsm)

[Rising_Suns]

This post is just to give a small plug to a little known group of austere Franciscan sisters. They observe a strict rule of life; no use of modern technology such as microwaves, refrigerators, etc. They dress in rough wool habits, and are discalced (I believe they only wear sandals when necessary). Yet despite all their austerities, they are not rigid as one might find in the more hardlined traditional communities. Rather, joy pervades their community. The mother superior is a very holy woman; a loving mother figure for all the young sisters, but also disciplined.

Their life is reminiscent of the early Capuchin reform of the 16th century. They also take a fourth vow of total consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and live a life of penance as reparation for the sins committed against Her Immaculate Heart. They live mostly a contemplative life of prayer, with daily adoration and communal divine office. They also have an external apostolate to assist priests and help revitalize parishes. The sisters are based in Massechusettes, and often make retreats at the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate postulant house near Albany, NY.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to find good photos of these sisters, since they avoid all forms of modern technology, including computers as well. Their website was designed by a layperson, (unbeknownced to them at first), which contains a few old pictures.

FSM WEBSITE:
http://www.franciscansistersminor.info

and see; http://onecameback.blogspot.com/2007/08/prayer-request-for-franciscan-sisters.html

a closeup of their habit;
[img]http://www.therockgroup.org/Pictures/SrMarieFidelis.JPG[/img]
.

Edited February 21, 2010 by Rising_Suns

[laetitia crucis]

Thanks for posting this information, Rising_Suns!

I remember vaguely hearing about this order, but had no luck finding them online! (Instead, I found the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate, and the Capuchin Sisters of Nazareth. )

These Sisters sound amazing! I am glad that someone made them a website! Hopefully this will draw in more discerners that may have a vocation with them.

Thanks, again!

[Antigonos]

Doesn't the nun in the photo look like she's wearing lipstick? Just wondering...

[zunshynn]

[quote name='Antigonos' date='21 February 2010 - 11:15 PM' timestamp='1266819332' post='2061035']
Doesn't the nun in the photo look like she's wearing lipstick? Just wondering...
[/quote]

I think her lips look slightly chapped.

[laetitia crucis]

[quote name='Antigonos' date='22 February 2010 - 02:15 AM' timestamp='1266819332' post='2061035']
Doesn't the nun in the photo look like she's wearing lipstick? Just wondering...
[/quote]

I think they look chapped AND as though she just had some kool-aid.

[Laudate_Dominum]

[quote name='Antigonos' date='22 February 2010 - 01:15 AM' timestamp='1266819332' post='2061035']
Doesn't the nun in the photo look like she's wearing lipstick? Just wondering...
[/quote]
Lipstick is not a sin, don't judge.


jk, I was thinking the same thing. haha. Must be chapstick + chapped lips.

[DameAgnes]

no, she doesn't.

[Indwelling Trinity]

I wish i could find out whomever made their wood/cord rosaries. I am looking for seven of them. hey look pretty sturdy.

Indwelling Trinity:turban:

Edited February 22, 2010 by Indwelling Trinity

[FSM Sister]

My lips do that, too! Neither of us are wearing lipstick, I can assure you...

I should clarify - our community (Franciscan Sisters of Mary) has the same FSM acronym, but our groups are not associated. I've met some of the sisters, though! They are absolutely joyful! [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/D.gif[/img]

Edited February 23, 2010 by FSM Sister

[HisChild]

[quote name='FSM Sister' date='23 February 2010 - 07:26 AM' timestamp='1266935199' post='2061799']
My lips do that, too! Neither of us are wearing lipstick, I can assure you...

I should clarify - our community (Franciscan Sisters of Mary) has the same FSM acronym, but our groups are not associated. I've met some of the sisters, though! They are absolutely joyful! [img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/D.gif[/img]
[/quote]

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Are communities allowed to have the same acronym? I remember when I was with the Sisters of Life, who at that time were just starting out. They opted for Sorores Vitae (SV), since Sisters of Loretto (SL) was taken. I was just curious.

[BarbTherese]

Radiantly joyful picture of young novice!

Barb

[MithLuin]

The website seems defunct now, unfortunately, but I can offer an update on this group. They've moved to Fort Wayne, In:

[url=http://www.franciscanbrothersminor.com/FBM/Issue_5.html]Franciscan Brothers Minor welcome their sister community to Fort Wayne[/url]

[MithLuin]

[quote]Saturday October 2nd, 4:30 pm
Saint John the Baptist, Fort Wayne
Bishop Kevin Rhoades’ welcome Mass for
The Franciscan Sisters Minor[/quote]

[sistersintigo]

Here is their touching farewell to their former parish in Massachusetts.

[url="http://saintbrendansparish.org/Home/ANotefromtheFranciscanSistersMinor/tabid/109/Default.aspx"]from the Franciscan Sisters Minor[/url]

Edited September 21, 2010 by sistersintigo

[MithLuin]

[url=http://www.todayscatholicnews.org/2010/10/franciscan-sisters-minor-welcomed-to-diocese/]Their welcome mass in Indiana[/url]

The article has a picture of the group, as well as a list of their names, hometowns, and how long they've been in religious life. I guess I was a little surprised that two of them were widowed grandmothers!

I also found their horarium on [url=http://ja-jp.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=2258952944&topic=2588]Facebook[/url], of all places. It was posted a year ago, but I don't know by whom.

Edited October 13, 2010 by MithLuin

[HopefulBride]

[quote name='HisChild' timestamp='1266935976' post='2061803']
Glory to Jesus Christ!

Are communities allowed to have the same acronym? I remember when I was with the Sisters of Life, who at that time were just starting out. They opted for Sorores Vitae (SV), since Sisters of Loretto (SL) was taken. I was just curious.
[/quote]


I was under the same impression....

[krissylou]

Yes, but in between the founding of the Sisters of Life and the Franciscan Sisters Minor the Church reached a point where every possible combination of letters had been taken. So now there is nothing for new communities to do but double up!

(Actually that's a lie. I made it up. But it does seem that way sometimes ...)

[HopefulBride]

[quote name='krissylou' timestamp='1287009914' post='2179498']
Yes, but in between the founding of the Sisters of Life and the Franciscan Sisters Minor the Church reached a point where every possible combination of letters had been taken. So now there is nothing for new communities to do but double up!

(Actually that's a lie. I made it up. But it does seem that way sometimes ...)
[/quote]

LOL, you actually had me going there. LOL

[krissylou]

Well, I've seen some orders that use four letters (Fr. Corapi's SOLT, for instance) ... and I don't even want to think about how many congregations it would take to use up all possible combinations of four letters or fewer.

There are a lot but not THAT many.

Franciscan Sisters of Peace and the Daughters (Latin -- Filiae) of St Paul both use FSP.

And, waitaminnit, aren't the Loretto Sisters properly the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary and use IBVM?

[img]http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/public/style_emoticons/default/idontknow.gif[/img]


[quote name='HopefulBride' timestamp='1287022491' post='2179520']
LOL, you actually had me going there. LOL
[/quote]

Edited October 14, 2010 by krissylou

[MithLuin]

The total number of possible acronyms are as follows:

1 letter long: 26. I do not know of any order that does this. It would just look silly

2 letters long: 26x26=676. Some orders, such as OP for Dominicans, SJ for the Jesuits or FI for the Franciscans of the Immaculate, have only 2 letters.

3 letters: 26x26x26=17,576. Not all combinations are appropriate - for instance, 'KKK' after a persons name would be as bad as 'STD' for a Sacred Theology Degree.

4 letters: 26x26x26x26=456,976. Not all that uncommon. C.Ss.R for the Redemptorists. But if the particular 3-letter acronym you wanted was already taken, chances are a 4-letter variant will be available!

But no...I don't think they've run out, even ignoring combinations like 'OFM Cap' for the Capuchins vs 'OFM Conv' for the Conventual Franciscans. 'O. Carm.' is another that uses a longer designation.

Some orders probably try to intentionally pick something unique so there is no confusion, and others might not mind so much. There are many religious orders with similar names that lead to some confusion, so that's just part of life.

[url=http://www.catholicdoors.com/misc/abbrev.htm]HERE[/url] are nearly 800 different abbreviations of religious communities, and if you scroll through, you'll see that there are plenty of duplicates. There's even three different groups using C.F.I.C., though they may not have known about each other. There are two F.S.M. groups besides the one in this thread. The Franciscan Sisters of Mary, and the Franciscan Minoresses. At least they're all Franciscan!

It turns out the E, G, J, N and W,X,Y,Z are all uncommon first letters for a religious group. So, if you wanted to start the Xaverian Nuns of Eucharistic Jesus, you'd probably have no problems finding an unused acronym!

Edited October 15, 2010 by MithLuin