Our Charism

What is a charism?

The word charism means gift: it is a gift given by the Holy Spirit to a religious community for the life of that community and the whole Church. Charisms are “graces of the Holy Spirit which directly or indirectly benefit the Church, ordered as they are to her building up, to the good of men, and to the needs of the world” (CCC, 799). The charism of a religious community lies at the very heart of its identity and of the members’ relationship with the Lord. It shapes the whole life of the community from its prayer to its mission and service to the Church.

Through our charism of perpetual adoration, we adore the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Eucharist, finding there our Love and comfort, as well as our source of joy and strength for apostolic service.

After the example of St. Francis…

“Let the whole world tremble; let heaven exult when Christ, the Son of the Living God, is on the altar in the hands of the priest. O admirable height and stupendous condescension! O humble sublimity! O sublime humility! that the Lord of the universe, God and the Son of God, so humbles Himself that for our salvation He hides Himself under a morsel of bread.”

~St. Francis of Assisi

…and our foundress, Mother Maria Theresia…

The inspiration for our charism of perpetual adoration arises from Mother Maria Theresia’s two loves: first and foremost, her love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Growing up next to the town church, she frequented Mass and benediction with her family, and had a strong sense of Jesus’s Real Presence in the Eucharist from a young age. Secondly, because of Mother’s great love for St. Francis, she desired to establish her community in the tradition and spirit of St. Francis. Though she was drawn by all aspects of his life, she was attracted above all by his burning veneration for the mystery of the Eucharist. Saint Bonaventure wrote about Saint Francis that “he burned with love for the Sacrament of our Lord’s Body with all his heart, and was lost in wonder at the thought of such condescending love, such loving condescension.”

…The Sisters strive to combine the contemplative life with the active through perpetual adoration and the works of mercy in education, healthcare, and other ecclesial ministries.

“With Jesus as our model, it will not be too difficult to walk the path of virtue; our good will is always supported by grace.”

~ Blessed Maria Theresia

“Of the plenitude of the charism, one element attracted her above all else: the burning veneration of St. Francis for the mystery of the Holy Eucharist. That is why Blessed Maria Theresia called her congregation not only the Sisters of St. Francis, but the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, thus distinguishing them from all other Franciscan sisterhoods. Adoration is not merely a pious exercise. In the hours of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, the Sisters are to gain the strength to make their entire life and all their actions a ceaseless adoration. Whoever adores subjects himself completely to God and places himself unconditionally at His disposal.”

~ Our Form of Life