How We Live
Prayer “…we are faithful to God’s continuous creative action in our lives through contemplation and faith sharing...” (from Vision Statement)
Prayer is the way in which God becomes present to a Franciscan Sister of the Sacred Heart. During her daily hour of prayer, she develops her relationship with God who calls her to embrace a Gospel-centered life. She also joins with the global Church family in communally praying the daily Liturgy of the Hours and celebrating at Eucharistic Liturgy. Days are set aside for retreats, renewal, reflection and solitude to look deeply within, as Francis did, to find the God who permeates all.
Community“In Christ Jesus, we treasure each Sister.” (from Mission Statement)
We treasure community, one of the most distinguishing marks of Franciscanism. Instead of competitiveness, we seek mutuality. Instead of self-centeredness, shared living is the common rule. Instead of negativism, support of one another is expected. Service replaces control, classism is destroyed by solidarity, and domination is overcome by respect. Over all these, the Sister strives constantly to put on love.
Vowed Life
“We joyfully embrace our vowed life in community which is sustained by our personal and communal prayer and Sisterly love.” (from Mission Statement)
Our vows of poverty, chastity and obedience are an intensification of our baptismal vows and lived within a communal lifestyle.
Through our vow of poverty, we accept identification as 'minores' (the poor and the powerless), freeing ourselves for total dependence on our God.
Through our life of chastity, we pledge a singleheartedness to the God who has first loved us.
Through our vow of obedience, we regularly listen to God's word as it comes to us through the people and events of our daily experiences.