Maria Anna Boll Bachmann, a German immigrant to Philadelphia, became the founder and first superior of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. (Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia)

Posted April 6, 2021

The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia will celebrate their founding with an April 9 webinar surveying the history of the congregation, which was established under the direction of then-bishop St. John Neumann.

The 12 p.m. presentation will feature insights from Franciscan Sisters Anne Amati, Mary Kennedy and Pat Warman, along with mission companions Anne Pullis and Carol Baiocchi. Edward Lis, director of Catholic mission integration for archdiocesan Catholic Social Services, will moderate the event.

Since its earliest days under the leadership of German immigrant Maria Anna Boll Bachman, later known as “Mother Francis,” the congregation has dedicated itself to the care of the poor and the vulnerable, with a particular focus on women, children and marginalized populations.

Currently the sisters are active in 15 states throughout the U.S., and in Ireland and Africa. Through prayer, education, outreach, spiritual and pastoral care, advocacy and leadership, the congregation serves a range of groups, including the elderly, the impoverished, immigrants, refugees, and persons with AIDS.

The join the webinar on April 9 at 12 p.m., click on https://villanova.zoom.us/j/92077066920.