Blessed Mary Frances Schervier

Life story

Franziska (Mary Frances) Schervier was born on 3 January 1819 in Aachen, then part of the Kingdom of Prussia, into a wealthy family. Her father ran a needle factory and served as vice-mayor. Her mother died while she was young, and at sixteen she took over the running of the household, known for her generosity to the poor.

In 1844 she joined the Franciscan Third Order. The following year she and four companions began living together in a small house near St James's Gate, caring for the poor, and she was chosen superior. In 1848–49, when cholera and smallpox broke out, the group set up an infirmary in an old Dominican building, and in 1850 they opened a hospital for incurables.

On 12 August 1851 she and twenty-three associates received the Franciscan habit; the archbishop of Cologne approved the community that year. On 24 August 1858 six sisters sailed for the United States and founded a hospital in Cincinnati. She visited the United States in 1863, when the sisters nursed wounded soldiers of the Civil War, and again in 1868. She also encouraged Fr Philip Hoever in founding the Brothers of the Poor of St Francis.

She died in Aachen on 14 December 1876. Paul VI beatified her on 28 April 1974. Her feast is most often listed on 15 December, while some sources give 14 December, the day she died. She has not been canonised.

Works and witness

• Ran her family's household at sixteen and was known for aid to the poor
• Joined the Franciscan Third Order in 1844 and founded a community in 1845
• Opened an infirmary during the 1848–49 cholera and smallpox outbreaks
• Sent six sisters to Cincinnati in 1858; visited the United States in 1863 and 1868
• Beatified in 1974

Saints from the same country

Saint Ambrose, Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Saint Bruno of Cologne

References

• Franciscan Media: 'Blessed Mary Frances Schervier', franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/blessed-mary-frances-schervier/
• Catholic Telegraph: article on the feast of Blessed Mary Frances Schervier (beatified 28 April 1974)
• Catholic Encyclopedia, 'Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis', newadvent.org/cathen/12257a.htm

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.