What’s the answer to darkness?
Turn on the Light!

From the School Sisters of St. Francis

We are now officially able to use the name that has been in our hearts for so long!  The School Sisters of St. Francis held their General Chapter in January of 2023 in Vienna, Austria at the Motherhouse.  Ten days of dialogue, prayer, and decision-making for the entire congregation took place, one of which is our now-approved name: Franciscan Sisters of Christ the Light.

This is a fruit of years of searching and discerning – can the Sisters be the reflection of the Light of Christ, igniting that fire in every soul we encounter? Can we put our lights together to kindle a blazing inferno?  Does this desire correspond with the vision of our Mother Foundress (Maria Hyacintha Zechner (Maria Teresia 1697–1763)) and the Charism given to her by the Holy Spirit for the good of the Church and all of mankind?  Is there a need for the Light of Jesus Christ to be lit everywhere in society and in the Church?

The highest governing body of our Congregation, (while it is in session) the General Chapter, says YES!  There is affirmation of our request to the General Chapter to officially be Franciscan Sisters of Christ the Light along with the Charism Statement:
“We desire to be bearers of the Light of Christ to the spiritually hungry, the lonely and unloved, fostering this light in every soul we encounter.”

There is no doubt of the darkness in our world today.  No one can debate that; while there is much good to celebrate and nurture, darkness reigns among those who have not embraced the Light.  These are the spiritually hungry!  These are those who thirst for truth and hope but don’t know where to find it.

“What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (Jn 1: 1-5)

As we continue our age-old commitment to Christian education in old and new ways, we also renew our commitment to helping make families and marriages stronger through Gospel values and accompaniment. And our primary strategy? Turn on the Light and let in the Light of the World!  We want to show what a personal love relationship with Jesus looks like.  He is the answer to…everything.

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen” (Isaiah 9:2).

https://panhandlefranciscans.org