The very beginning

Founded in 1881 in Poland, the Daughters of Our Lady of Sorrows, also known as the Seraphic Sisters, trace their spiritual heritage to the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi. The Congregation emerged during a period of profound hardship for Polish Catholics, as the Russian occupation sought to suppress the Catholic faith through persecution and oppressive decrees. The occupiers closed seminaries, denied access to the Holy Sacraments, and restricted contact with the Vatican. Many priests were martyred or exiled to Siberia, leaving the faithful without spiritual guidance. Amid these trials, God raised up heroic figures to defend and nurture the national and spiritual identity of the people. Among these were Father Honorat Kozminski and Mother Małgorzata Łucja Szewczyk, who together founded the Seraphic Sisters. Their mission was not only to sustain the faith but also to rescue souls by serving the poor, the homeless, and all those in need. Through their charitable works, the Sisters became a beacon of hope and compassion during a dark chapter in Polish history. Despite facing numerous challenges, the Congregation grew rapidly and focused its ministry within Poland. Over time, their work extended beyond Polish borders, and today, the Seraphic Sisters serve in various parts of the world, including Texas, Sweden, Italy, France, Ukraine, Gabon, and Bolivia. The legacy of the Seraphic Sisters continues to shine through their dedication to helping those most in need, living out the Gospel through humble service and unwavering faith in God’s providence.

Our Texan History

The Seraphic Sisters have been present in Texas since 1970, dedicated to sharing their lives with those most in need, following the joyous and humble spirit of St. Francis. We serve not only those who require care and protection but also those who hunger for faith, hope, and love. Our Nursing Homes are more than places of care—they are homes where we strive to create a warm, family-like atmosphere, nurturing both body and spirit. In addition to our nursing care, we welcome individuals and groups seeking spiritual renewal. Our retreat spaces offer a peaceful environment for those longing for silence, deeper prayer, and a closer relationship with God. Our journey in Texas began on November 24, 1970, when two of our Sisters, Sr. Alphonsa and Sr. Helen, arrived at the invitation of Rev. Peter Kolton. In 1966, to mark the millennium of Christianity in Poland, Rev. Kolton had built a Shrine to Our Lady of Czestochowa in San Antonio. The Sisters were entrusted with the care of this sacred site, promoting devotion to the Blessed Mother. Located at 138 Beethoven Street, the Shrine now serves as both a place of pilgrimage and a museum dedicated to Our Lady of Czestochowa. The Sisters received a warm welcome from Archbishop Francis Furey, and just a month later, Sr. Zbigniewa Kaczmarczyk, the Mother General of the Congregation, visited from Poland to officially approve the establishment of the Seraphic Sisters’ mission in Texas. She also pledged to send more Sisters to support the growing ministry. In their early years, the Sisters worked at a nursing home in San Antonio, owned by Ms. Muriel Merrit, who later built a chapel where the Sisters could worship. In 1976, the Congregation purchased this nursing home, along with another in Kenedy, Texas. They were renamed St. Francis Nursing Home in San Antonio and John Paul II Nursing Home in Kenedy, and continue to serve the community, embodying the Franciscan spirit of humble service and compassionate care.

Joy is being Franciscan!

We are eager to share with you the joy and hope that come from living our vocation and deepening our relationship with Christ. As Daughters of Our Lady of Sorrows, we are inspired by her to bring faith and hope to places where God seems forgotten. Following in the footsteps of St. Francis, we embrace a life of joy and simplicity. We see the face of Christ in the needy, the sick, and the abandoned. Through prayer and community life, we grow in faith and together strive toward the fullness of God’s infinite love.

All for Jesus through the sorrowful Heart of Mary

Rooted in the teachings of St. Francis and inspired by the Gospel, the Seraphic Sisters dedicate their lives to embodying Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Their spiritual journey is marked by a profound union with God, achieved through unwavering surrender to His divine will. Guided by the virtues of faith, hope, and love, they nurture a personal, deep relationship with God, recognizing their complete dependence on His grace. At the heart of the Seraphic Sisters’ spirituality lies the Eucharist, the perpetual fountain of God’s merciful love. Each day, they draw strength and intimacy from the Eucharistic Celebration, the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Liturgy of the Hours, meditation, and spiritual reading, grounding their lives in the sacred presence of Christ. A special devotion to the Blessed Mother, venerated as Our Lady of Sorrows, is integral to their spiritual identity. The Sisters contemplate the life of Mary, learning from her example of grace, faithfulness, humility, and obedience. Through the Blessed Mother, they are taught to be true servants of God, united with Christ, especially in His suffering. Daily meditation on the mysteries of Christ and Mary, through the Holy Rosary, deepens their constant dialogue with God. In living out the Gospel, the Seraphic Sisters are committed to serving others, recognizing in every person—especially the poor, sick, elderly, and marginalized—the face of Jesus. Following the example of Christ and His beloved Mother, they strive to embody humility, simplicity, and love in all their interactions, becoming instruments of God’s grace. Faithful to their Congregation’s motto, “All for Jesus through the sorrowful Heart of Mary,” the Sisters devote themselves to serving with compassion, humility, and unwavering devotion to the will of God.