Foundress of the Felician Sisters – (1825-1899)
Her life
+ Sophia Camille Truszkowska was born in Kalisz, Poland. The daughter of a noble family, she received an excellent education, although she suffered from frail health.
+ In 1848, she had a moment of grace that marked a turning point in her life. She would later describe this as a moment of “conversion.” Inspired to explore the possibility of religious life, she became a spiritual student of Saint Honorat Kozminski, a Capuchin friar, and began serving with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
+ In 1854, she and a cousin began welcoming homeless children into their home, spending their days teaching the children and attending Mass. Sophia would often take the children to pray at the shrine of St. Felix of Cantalice in a nearby Capuchin church. In time, others joined Sophia and they formed a new religious community, named in honor of St. Felix. Sophia took the religious name “Maria Angela.”
+ The Felician Sisters, as they were known, later expanded their ministry to include service to the poor, sick, and elderly.
+ Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska died in 1899 and was beatified in 1993. Because of her own frail health and compassionate care for the sick, she is often honored as a patron of the sick.
Spiritual bonus
Saint Felix, for whom the Felician sisters are named, was a Capuchin Franciscan lay brother who was known during his life for his holiness and simplicity. A friend of Saint Philip Neri and Saint Charles Borromeo, he was also beloved of the people of Rome for his generosity and humility. Saint Felix died in 1587 and was canonized in 1721.
Quote
“Help all without discrimination, friend and foe alike. Everyone is our neighbor.”—Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska
To learn more about the Felician Sisters, visit: http://feliciansisters.org/
Prayer
O God, who called blessed Mary Angela to seek your Kingdom in this world through the pursuit of perfect charity, grant, we pray, through her intercession that we may advance with joyful spirit along the way of love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal: Common of Holy Men and Women—For a Religious)
Profiles prepared by Br. Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...
