150 YEARS OF THE NAZARETH SISTERS

In the footsteps of Blessed Frances Siedliska in Rome (59)

Sr. M. Beata Rudzińska, CSFN

Via S. Susanna (1881)

“Thanks to the Lord, Mother is feeling somewhat better,” writes Sister Gabriela, “although she is still very weak and her heart continues to suffer. In a few weeks, she will travel to Krakow, where she will have an immense amount of work to do. Mother’s strength is still so low that she can barely walk across the room. All our hope is in God.”

During those days, which seemed to be filled only with suffering, sacrifice, and uncertainty, Frances addressed one of the Sisters with words that the Chronicler diligently recorded: “It seems to me that we are on this simple path leading to the Lord, who does not spare us His graces, but on our part, there is not enough work. We must come out of ourselves and give ourselves completely to God. Life is so short, it will pass quickly, and we will do nothing for the Lord.” And Frances is the first to put into practice what she tells her Sisters. “God sustains her wonderfully,” writes Sister Gabriela, “she writes and works very hard. It seems that the more she suffers, the more the Lord gives her light to write the rule, which is now nearing completion.” She is also preparing for another trip to Krakow.

Before that happens, however, she takes another important step in the history of the Congregation. Frances presents Pope Leo XIII with an outline of the Congregation, which was prepared and presented to Cardinal La Valetta in 1880. The latter provides all the help necessary to ensure that the document reaches the Pope and that Frances obtains an audience with him. On July 9, 1881, after Frances’ meeting with Pope Leo XIII, the Cardinal Vicar added to the Nazareth Sisters’ Foundress’ request: “The Holy Father has graciously granted the apostolic blessing that was requested.”

In June 1881, the Nazareth Sisters’ house on Via Susanna increasingly opened its doors to welcome not only individuals but also pilgrims—Slavs coming to Rome to thank Pope Leo XIII for extending the cult of Cyril and Methodius to the entire universal Church. There were also French missionaries who told the Sisters about their ministry in China, about persecution, prison stays… The Sisters were deeply impressed by their testimony.

In the second half of July, Mother Frances leaves for Krakow, taking with her Sister Gabriela Lubowidzka, Sister Bernarda Malentynowicz, and Brother Stefan, who is indispensable in all moves and in setting up new chapels and apartments. On the way, they stop in Loreto, where the Foundress leaves fervent prayers and tears before the Mother of God, which do not escape the attention of the Sisters. Sister Rafaela accompanies them as far as Ancona. It was there, on July 22, 15 minutes after Frances’ departure for Krakow, that Father Semenenko met her at the train station and recorded this fact in his diary. The General of the Resurrectionists probably never imagined how much the Nazareth Sisters would benefit from his detailed notes.

Picture: CSFN
The Church of Santa Susanna at San Bernardo Square