The School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King: Were They Meant to be Franciscan?

ABSTRACT:
In the years following the second Vatican Council, religious congregations made efforts to return to their original charism. For congregations of Franciscan women of the Third Order, both canon law and the customs of religious life made questions of identity and origin more complex. In addition to Francis, Clare, and other prominent figures in the Franciscan tradition, many congregations of the Third Order Regular were influenced by fascinating and powerful figures who have remained conspicuously absent from the historical tradition. This paper explores the role of Antonia Lampel and Margareta Pucher in the creation of School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King. It explores the questions of intentionality, canon law, desire of the sisters, and modern needs in assessing the Franciscan character of this congregation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Maryann Dosen is a member of School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King. She has taught at various levels for over twenty years, and is completing a Master's degree in Franciscan Studies.