Blessings Expressions of Faith
Sisters of the Holy Family
Item No.: SP132
History
“Father Prendergast and I have another work for you to do,” said Archbishop Alemany to young Elizabeth Armer who had come to consult him about her desire to enter a contemplative order. The Archbishop then unfolded to the future Mother Dolores his plans for a new work, an institute of Sisters to reach out beyond the safe enclosure of the Catholic schools, “to the children of the highways and byways, the streets and the lanes”. In 1872 Elizabeth and one companion opened the first convent of the Sisters of the Holy Family in San Francisco. Today the Sisters are teaching religion throughout California and Nevada, in Hawaii and Texas.
Purpose
Their special work is “to instruct and train in the practice of the Catholic faith children who are otherwise deprived of religious education”.
Training
The candidates must undergo a nine-month postulancy in which they are introduced to the life of a religious and begin their academic training for two semesters in the community’s junior college. The canonical year of the novitiate is a more intensive spiritual formation in the fundamentals of the religious life.
Qualifications
• Age 17 to 30.
• Completion of high school.
Habit
The sisters wear a plain black habit, veil, and cape, and a coif.
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