Sponsored Institutions

The Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate founded our sponsored institutions. Today our Sisters can be found serving on the faculties, executive and administrative staffs, and the boards of the institutions. The institutions operate as separate entities, independent of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate.

University of St. Francis
Founded in 1920, it eventually became the College of St. Francis in 1930. Today over 1,500 men and women attend classes at the University of St. Francis campus in Joliet, Illinois including approximately 200 nursing students. More than 3,000 continuing education and graduate students are served through programs off site at locations in 18 states.

Guardian Angel Community Services at Guardian Angel Home
Founded in 1897 to care for orphaned, neglected and dependent children, today Guardian Angel Community Services provides a variety of programs and services benefiting women and children of the community.

Joliet Catholic Academy
The result of the merger of St. Francis Academy and Joliet Catholic High School in 1990, Joliet Catholic Academy is a college-preparatory high school sponsored jointly by the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate and the Carmelites to prepare young adults for college and for life. The focus of JCA is on challenging students to grow intellectually, spiritually, morally, emotionally, physically and socially.

Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home
Since 1962, Our Lady of Angels – the first faith-based continuing care senior living community in Joliet - has been providing loving, Christian care in a life-giving atmosphere where residents enjoy peace of mind, receive physical and emotional support and are provided with social, recreational and spiritual opportunities. In 2007, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation nursing center was added to enhance the continuum of care by offering Medicare certified service.

Our Lady of Angels Village
Opened in 2008, Our Lady of Angels Village is designed specifically for individuals who are able to live independently in the comfort of their own private space. Guided by our mission to provide loving care in a life-giving atmosphere, we have created a campus lifestyle where men and women can enjoy peace of mind, enhance their spiritual life, participate in a variety of interesting new social, recreational and wellness opportunities, and receive physical and emotional support as may be needed over time.

Franciscan Learning Center
Established in 1974, the Franciscan Learning Center offers quality education in its preschool and kindergarten programs. Today, as parents, many former students turn to the Franciscan Learning Center for the early childhood education of their own children.

San Damiano School
Located in Goiânia, Brazil, Instituto San Damiano, was founded in response to the needs of the community. The school opened in 1970 with 100 students. Today, more than 900 children receive an elementary school education at the school.

Sponsored Institution: Guardian Angel Home

        First Guardian Angel Home - 1897

Mother Lucia Raub was the first superior of Guardian Angel Home when it was founded in 1897. Having served as the Congregation’s Mother Superior for two terms from 1887 – 1893, she went on to be known as the “Friend of the Children” due to her devotion to the children who lived within Guardian Angel. She served in this capacity for 14 years.

One of those children under her care, was Florence Gorges who, along with her sister Patricia, were the first children to live in Guardian Angel Home. Florence joined the Congregation in 1904, and as Sister Priscilla became a teacher, a ministry she enjoyed very much.

Names of first orphans (note: Florence Gorges is the first name on the left.)