So many of our sisters came to know us during grade school. Patricia Ann Wagner felt drawn to
being a teacher, a Franciscan sister and a musician while she was a student at St. Pascal School in Chicago in the 1930s and 1940s. There she was encouraged by both teachers and her parents to
pursue her dreams. Born on January 10, 1933, she was the only child of Rose (Pahr) and Frank
Wagner.

After attending high school at St. Francis Academy in Joliet and living at the Prep, Pat joined the Joliet
Franciscans in 1949 and received the name Sister M. Rosalima, named after the Peruvian St. Rose of
Lima. She graduated from the College of St. Francis and earned a Masters degree from DePaul
University.

Pat’s many talents served her well in a variety of ministries and hobbies. In 1952, she began a 17 year ministry as teacher, organist and principal at schools in Illinois and Ohio. She then served on the
faculty of Education Department at the College of St. Francis for 10 years, pursuing further studies in
curriculum and educational methods — areas of study that she was responsible for teaching. As a supervisor of student teachers, she helped to launch the careers of many elementary school teachers during her tenure as a college instructor.

Read More About Sister Patricia’s Life

If you would like to make a donation in honor of Sister Patricia or another Joliet Franciscan Sister, please click here:  Remembering our Deceased Sisters.