Based in Reading, the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters capped a year-long series of reflections on the sisters’ service in Eastern Pennsylvania and now five other countries.
Every year, something special happens on the next-to-last Sunday of October: World Mission Sunday. This year on October 20, the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters commemorated the day and celebrated their 130th anniversary.
The sisters opened their year-long celebration of the milestone on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4, 2023 with a liturgy and festive dinner.
The past year saw programs highlighting the order’s work in Poland, Brazil, Liberia, the Dominican Republic, and Mozambique.
At a celebration October 19 at the motherhouse in Reading, Pa., in the Diocese of Allentown, the sisters planted a red maple tree on the campus. It symbolizes life itself with its roots representing the past, the trunk representing the present in which the sisters stay grounded in their charism and mission, and the branches symbolizing the sisters’ future commitment to engage in transformative service and intercultural relationships.
Closing the year of celebration on October 20 this year, the program culminated with the sisters reflecting on how in their lives and in their missions they continue living the theme of the year, “Radiating the Mystery of God’s Love.”
Allentown Bishop Alfred A. Schlert presided at the Mass in the motherhouse’s Sacred Heart Chapel, which was attended by the sisters and guests. After the liturgy there was a blessing of the bell used since 1898 to call the first Bernardine Sisters in the Reading area to prayer. Following the blessing was a catered dinner and program with reflections and remarks in the motherhouse dining room.
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