Walking with Elizabeth Hayes
By M. Francine Shaw
With the election of a Chicago-born Pope, the city of Chicago has received considerable publicity. We MFICs have an interesting story linked to Chicago. In 1876, Elizabeth Hayes (Mother M. Ignatius), while traveling through Chicago on her way to Montreal to recruit French Canadians to join her Belle Prairie Mission, met 33-year-old Angelica Switz Chaffee. She asked to join Elizabeth and, along with 4 others, received the Franciscan habit in Belle Prairie Convent in August of the same year. Angelica was given the religious name of Sr. Mary of the Angels. She had worked with a Chicago printing company, so besides helping Elizabeth Hayes in the printery, she often accompanied her leader on travels, was her secretary, and after Elizabeth’s death succeeded her as Mother General and editor of the Annals of Our Lady of the Angels.
In 2014, an American relative of Angelica, Tom Davey, found my thesis on Elizabeth Hayes on a website with references to Chaffee. Tom provided a copy of a letter written by Mother Chaffee to her niece, Hattie Chaffee, on 24th August 1898. With the letter was a photo and on the back of it she had written, ‘I find myself able to satisfy your desire for my picture. The old Sister sitting down is your aunt. The black children around me are from Egypt & Africa, whom through the goodness of God I have brought over for Christian education.’
Another part of the letter which Tom scanned reads, ‘I visited Egypt myself this Spring, in fact I am but only over a month returned and went to the Holy Land. We could go to Jerusalem & Bethlehem to venerate the places of Our Dear Lord’s birth & Passion & Burial. We went to Emmaus … Please God I shall return to Egypt sometime in October to the Oasis of Fayoum in the Libyan desert where we will have a missioning work.’
We shared with Tom a 17-page typed copy of the diary of his Chicago ‘old Aunt Annie’ written in 1881 or ‘82. Chaffee’s diary includes first-hand details of experiences that she shared with Elizabeth Hayes, including facts about the Annals, and she used them when writing her ‘Memories of Elizabeth Hayes’, around 1912.
(If you wish to refer to Chaffee’s 1898 letter, see pp. 260-61 of Elizabeth Hayes: Pioneer Franciscan Journalist.)
“Give thanks to the Beloved with your whole heart;
Tell the story of Love’s way;
Be glad and dance with joy;”
Two thousand and twenty-three is a year of celebration for the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. Our sisters throughout the world gathered to celebrate with gratitude the 100th anniversary of the birth of our Foundress Elizabeth Hayes (Mother Mary Ignatius of Jesus) and the 150th anniversary of the foundation of our Institute.
In a complex and changing world, following the example of Elizabeth, the Missionary Franciscan Sisters continue to live their Gospel centered life in the Franciscan tradition, with joy, telling the story of Love’s way, giving thanks to God with our whole heart.
We commit ourselves by profession of vows to our Mission statement as we:
- Manifest God’s universal compassion through inclusive non-dominating relationships of love.
- Trust in God’s Providence and live in a manner that affirms the right of all to a just share of the earth’s resources.
- Discern together the voice of the Spirit that has called us to be one in our diversity.
In the spirit of Francis, Clare, and Elizabeth Hayes, we promote ever-widening circles of communion as we:
- Open ourselves to a life of continued conversion in response to the call of the Gospel.
- Identify with the victim, the poor and the marginalized in seeking a peace built on justice.
- Reverence creation, acknowledging the right of all God’s creatures to enjoy its blessings.
- Address the need within ourselves for repentance, forgiveness and healing while promoting a message of reconciliation.
1. Nan Merrill. Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness. (10th Anniversary edition) Bloomsbury Publishing, London 2007 p.11
Watch the photo gallery of the celebrations on the different parts of the world HERE.
Missionary Franciscan Sisters in Ireland celebrating 200 years since our foundress’s birthday.
Las Hermanas Franciscanas Misioneras de Irlanda celebran los 200 años del nacimiento de nuestra fundadora.
Sœurs franciscaines missionnaires en Irlande célébrant les 200 ans de l'anniversaire de notre fondatrice.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Here some photos of the Sisters having Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament on the Eve of the celebration of the 200th birthday of Elizabeth Hayes, and some photos after the Mass on Friday.
Aquí algunas fotos de las Hermanas haciendo Adoración ante el Santísimo Sacramento en la víspera de la celebración del 200 cumpleaños de Elizabeth Hayes, y algunas fotos después de la Misa del viernes.
Voici quelques photos des sœurs en adoration devant le Saint Sacrement la veille de la célébration du 200ème anniversaire d'Elizabeth Hayes, et quelques photos après la messe du vendredi.
Sisters, Former Members and Associates celebrate the life of Elizabeth Hayes in Syracuse.
Hermanas, ex Miembros y Asociados celebran la vida de Elizabeth Hayes en Syracuse.
Sœurs, Anciens Membres et Associés célèbrent la vie d'Elizabeth Hayes à Syracuse.
Delamore Retirement Community in Australia also rejoiced with 6 events over 3 days.
Residents (including MFICs), and several other MFICs and guests joined the celebrations.
Delamore Retirement Community, en Australia, también se alegró con 6 actos a lo largo de 3 días.
Los residentes (incluidas las MFIC), y varias otras MFIC e invitados se unieron a las celebraciones.
La Delamore Retirement Community en Australie s'est également réjouie avec 6 événements sur 3 jours.
Les résidents (y compris les MFIC), ainsi que plusieurs autres MFIC et invités se sont joints aux célébrations.
Abajo algunas fotos de las Hermanas del Círculo Canadiense, en la Residencia Les Pionnières.
El Círculo Canadiense también es conocido como Nuestra Señora de Lourdes y como Círculo Elizabeth Hayes.
Ci-dessous quelques photos des Sœurs du Cercle Canadien, à la Résidence Les Pionnières.
Le Cercle Canadien est également connu sous le nom de Notre-Dame de Lourdes et de Cercle Elizabeth Hayes.
In June 2022 the General Leadership met with the members of the Mother of the Word (Papua New Guinea) Governance Circle leaders in Port Moresby.
Sr. Pauline joined the meeting via Zoom.
New House in Port Moresby, Papaua New Guinea.
Sr. Rosella and Sr. Lorna will reside there as members of the MFIC General Council.
December 6
After a long but uneventful trip to La Paz from Boston, my sister Kathy and I arrived in Coroico where festivities celebrating fifty years of the life and mission of our sisters in Bolivia were about to begin. More than 50 catechists from the mountain villages that surround the parish gathered at the Cathedral for Mass celebrated by Bishop Juan Vargas.
During his homily he recounted his memories as a young priest working with our sisters and in particular with Sister Justin. Bishop Juan thanked our sisters for our presence in Coroico and reminded the catechists gathered, many of whom were trained by our sisters, that although we are few, our mission continues through them and spreading the Gospel and Christian life is in their hands.
After Mass we gathered in the Diocesan center for a delicious meal prepared by Betty and Marcos. Fr. Freddy introduced Sr. Helena Harney and invited her to make a toast. Helena thanked the people of Coroico for the gift that they have been and continue to be to the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. (MFIC) Many of the catechists present gave testimony to the many ways that the sisters who served here touched their lives. They called out many by name and asked Me to share with the sisters their deep gratitude and love.
December 7
Sisters Gustina and Clorinda arrived today. Veronica who is interested in our community came with Clori and Gustina to celebrate with us.
December 8
We began today’s celebration with community prayer in our little chapel in the convent in Coroico. After breakfast we left for the festivities in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. The people of the parish had the church beautifully decorated. Sr. Maribel welcomed the congregation to the celebration and gave a brief summary of our charism. Once again, Bishop Juan Vargas was the celebrant. Each of the sisters present had an opportunity to participate in the Liturgy. Before the final blessing Sr. Helena thanked the people of Coroico for their love and support. The congregation was invited to share in a repast served by the sisters, priests and volunteers.
After a short break the religious in Coroico, the bishop and priests of the parish joined about 70-80 friends for a delightful lunch, music and dancing.
The weekend festivities were truly a testament to our MFIC sisters who have served here in the past and continue to serve here today. However, we also celebrated the love and friendship of the people of Coroico and way in which they have enriched our Franciscan charism.
Marie
