From Poland to North America: The Felician Sisters’ History

Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska, Foundress

In 1825, Angela Truszkowska, foundress of the Felician Sisters, was born Sophia Camille in Kalisz, Poland, of well-educated and devout parents. Sophia was independent, intelligent, and deeply religious. Even as a youth she had profound awareness of the economic and social inequities of her time. Her father, a judge in the juvenile courts, helped to shape her sense of justice.

By 1854, she had a crystallized vision of her mission. She joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Warsaw, visiting the sick and destitute in their homes and supplying the needs of many of the city’s children who were homeless. By 1855 she moved in with her charges: the orphaned children and the aged women  in her care.  On November 21, 1855, considered the founding day of the congregation, Sophia and her cousin, Clothilde, consecrated themselves to the service of the Blessed Virgin Mary as Third Order Franciscans. Sophia was given the name Angela.

This was the beginning of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice, Third Order of St. Francis, more popularly known as the Felician Sisters. In the decades that followed the Felician Sisters observed the Gospel, generated needed social change, actively survived political suppression, and assumed a vital and lasting role in the mission of the Church.

Beatified

On April 18, 1993, Pope John Paul II beatified Mother Mary Angela, saying, “Blessed Mary Angela’s life was marked with love. She was concerned about all people: those hungry for bread, the heartbroken, the homeless, and those hungering for the truth of the Gospel.”