Religious Life

We are the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate, a religious community of sisters faithful to the Holy Father, the Pope. We are a pontifical institute who are clothed with the angelic garment of the Immaculate Virgin and clad with sandals of seraphic poverty, prayer, penance and perfect joy.

Read more: Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate

The Mission of the Immaculate in North America (USA & Canada) entrusted to our Institute began in December, 1990, when Fr. Thomas Mary Huff took up residence in a small cabin at the Seminary of the Twelve Holy Apostles in Cromwell, CT (USA), where he was completing his theological studies.

Read more: The Beginning in North America

Our purpose is to make the Immaculate known and loved through the total consecration to Our Lady according to the method of St. Maximilian Kolbe. We profess the Franciscan Rule as our form of life and live in Community to realize our vow of total consecration to Our Lady and to better promote her work through our observance of the three evangelical vows.

Read more: Franciscan Handmaids of the Immaculate

What is the Franciscan Third Order?

If you have come to inquire into the vocation of a Franciscan Tertiary of the Immaculate, it is not by accident! It was Our Lady, the Immaculate Mediatrix, who gave this grace to you.

"The Third Order was born in the mind of your Seraphic Father the day that a group of souls, moved and urged on by his words, asked to be allowed to accompany him on the path he was traveling, following in the footsteps of Christ, in whose name he was constantly repeating the words: "Be perfect" (Mt. 5,48)...the Third Order of St. Francis was born to satisfy this thirst for heroism among those who, though having to remain in the world, did not wish to be of the world. The Third Order, then, seeks souls who long for perfection in their own state."— Venerable Pope Pius XII (Address of July 1, 1956)

Read more: Franciscan Third Order of the Immaculate