As her injured husband lay dying, Anna Bachmann, a pregnant, immigrant woman, experienced a religious epiphany.
Against all odds, Anna, along with her sister Barbara and new friend Anna Dorn, went on to found the Sisters of Saint Francis of Philadelphia. From its humble beginnings, the order would eventually grow to encompass over 1500 women religious and change the world through numerous ministries that helped to shape modern-day America’s schools, hospitals, charities, and activist organizations.
The sisters, with great humility, often toiled in the background, unacknowledged and under-appreciated. Theirs is truly a story of faith, and of moving forward even when things seemed impossible. Anna, later known as Mother Francis Bachmann, is credited as having said “Step out in faith,” trusting that God would provide.
Now, “step out in faith” has taken on new meaning. The sisters face a unique time in their history, with their average age hovering around eighty-four. How will their work continue beyond the lives of the sisters currently serving? Will the sisters be able to “step out,” trusting their legacy will carry on in new ways?
In their own words and through reflections on lives that have been filled with love, laughter, joy, community, and service, the sisters share what it truly means to be a Sister of Saint Francis of Philadelphia…and why, even as vowed, religious life seems to be disappearing, the world needs their legacy now more than ever.