150 YEARS OF THE NAZARETH SISTERS

In the footsteps of Blessed Frances Siedliska in Rome (62)

Sr. M. Beata Rudzińska, CSFN

Via Giulio Romano (1882–83) – in the Franciscan spirit

Nazareth Sisters lived in the house on Giulio Romano for over two years. At that time, there was already a community in Krakow, which meant that the Sisters exchanged visits with each other, and new candidates began to arrive in Rome from Poland. Through letters and a longer visit in 1882, the Foundress laid the foundations for community life and apostolic ministry in the Krakow house. In 1882, she also purchased a house on Warszawska Street in her name, which Nazareth Sisters moved into in September 1882 and where they still live today, as the oldest existing house of the Congregation.

Meanwhile, in the Roman house, Frances, as the Foundress and Mistress of Novices, struggled increasingly with the lack of a permanent confessor and advisor on matters of both the spiritual and canonical “structure” of the Congregation. The people I have mentioned before failed to meet Frances’ expectations.

In her Report to the First General Chapter of the Congregation in Chaville (1895), she describes this time as follows:

“Although our Congregation had begun to develop, albeit very slowly, and was already doing some small work for souls, we were as if in darkness, not knowing what to do next. We made various efforts and attempts, but we did not yet know what to do next. Believing that this was God’s will and that we would please Him in this way, in 1882 we began a stricter life of prayer and mortification: we got up at midnight to recite Lauds together and spend an hour in meditation. The sisters, all of whom were in poor health, often fainted and had to be carried out of the chapel, but this did not discourage us, and we continued on this path. Seeing ourselves so alone and abandoned, we thought of placing ourselves completely under the direction of the Reformed Fathers and adding the Rule of St. Francis to the provisional Constitutions in order to become Franciscans of the Holy Family of Nazareth. But we felt in our hearts that this was not yet what God was calling us to and that He must have other plans for us. ”

Interest in Franciscan spirituality arose with the arrival of Father Bernardino da Portogruaro (Giuseppe dal Vago), Superior General of the Reformed Franciscans, whose curia was located near the Basilica of Aracoeli. Father Bernardino himself knocked on his “neighbors’” door and proved to be very helpful at that time as a confessor, a practical advisor, and above all as a man who recognized Frances’ founding charism. At Frances’ invitation, Father Bernardino also presided over the ceremony of the first perpetual profession in Nazareth, made by Sister Rafaela Lubowidzka, as well as the first vows and investiture into the novitiate. The following year, in 1883, religious ceremonies, including the perpetual profession of the first Nazareth sister, Sister Józefa Rembiszewska, took place on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi (April 16) and were also presided over by the Franciscan General. An outward expression of the Sisters’ approach to Franciscan spirituality was their “pilgrimage” to the Church of St. Francis a Ripa in Trastevere, about which the Foundress writes in her notes: “May 29, Tuesday, our visit to the chapel of St. Francis, to his rooms, the dedication of the chalice (funded by the Congregation), the offering of ourselves and the request to St. Francis to accept us as his children.”

Unfortunately, Father Bernardino, due to his numerous responsibilities, had less and less time for Nazareth, while Frances needed him more and more. The young Foundress was left alone again in inner darkness and helplessness in the face of tasks that were beyond her strength and competence.

During this time, the search for a home for the Congregation continued. After a year of unsuccessful efforts, on November 4, the Sisters decided to begin a Triduum to St. Joseph for this intention. On the last day of the Triduum, “by Providence, Mr. Schumacher offered his help in finding a home,” and on November 11, he found a house at Via Machiavelli 18, where the Sisters still live today. How can we not believe in St. Joseph’s protection over Nazareth! On November 28, 1883, the building became the Sisters’ property, although they had to wait a few more weeks to move in.

Meanwhile, the most important thing was yet to happen… but more on that in the next episode.

Photos:
Fr. Bernardino da Portogruaro (Giuseppe dal Vago) OFM
Church of St. Francis at Ripa: chapel in the place where St. Francis lived during his stay in Rome and the stone that served as his pillow.