Posted October 7, 2014

Sent 200 years ago by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton from Baltimore, the Daughters of Charity were the first order of religious women to serve in Philadelphia. They celebrated their milestone Oct. 4 at the Miraculous Medal Shrine in Germantown, Philadelphia. Read more here. See video here. (Photos by Sarah Webb)

Sr Mary Francis Martin sister servant of the local house

Sister Mary Francis Martin, the sister servant of the congregation’s motherhouse, sings along with other members of her order and guests at the shrine.

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lector Sr. Margaret Walker

Sister Margaret Walker proclaims a Scripture reading during the liturgy.

Sr. Sharon Horace director of St Vincent de Paul Youth Center

Sister Sharon Horace, right, is director of the St. Vincent de Paul Youth Center in Germantown.

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Sr Jean Maher serving at St Athanasius

Sister Jean Maher, reading at Mass, ministers at St. Athanasius Parish in Philadelphia’s West Oak Lane section.

Sisters offer each other a sign of peace

Sisters exchange a sign of peace at Mass.

sisters that serve locally are called to come forward and take a plant with them to where they serve to share in the anniversary with their assignments

Daughters of Charity who serve locally are called forward to take a plant back to the place of their assignment to share in the anniversary.

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Archbishop Chaput greets sisters after mass

Archbishop Charles Chaput, who was the main celebrant for the anniversary Mass, greets the sisters afterward.

Sister Louise Galahue (the Visitrix for the Province of St. Louis), Chaput, Sister Mary Francis Martin (sister servant of the local house)

Sister Louise Galahue (left), the visitrix for the Daughters of Charity’s Province of St. Louis, poses after the anniversary Mass with Archbishop Chaput and Sister Mary Francis Martin, the sister servant of the motherhouse.