The Vatican’s Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated and Societies of Apostolic Life has created a public juridic person (PJP) that will ensure, in perpetuity, the sponsorship of the University of St. Francis (IL) and Marian University (IN) in the Catholic, Franciscan tradition. The Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, Joliet, IL, and the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, Oldenburg, IN, requested the formation of the Third Order Franciscan University Alliance to provide long-term sponsorship of their two higher education institutions. This request was approved on August 11, 2024, the feast of St. Clare of Assisi.
While this PJP will have minimal impact on the operations and governance of each individual university, it provides a critical path by which both universities will be able to retain Franciscan sponsorship. “This is something that we have been working on for several years and which also helps to ensure a path by which many of the other Catholic, Franciscan institutions of higher education can elect to continue to operate, even as their sponsoring congregations can no longer sponsor them”, said Sr. Jeanne Bessette, OSF, President of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate.
Indeed, as noted by Daniel Elsener, President of Marian University: “This PJP is specifically structured to be able to admit additional Franciscan higher education institutions in the future – in collaboration with their sponsoring congregations. We’ll be making another outreach to them in the next few months.”
“We are overjoyed that, once again, the Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg have had the courage to venture boldly into something new. We are proud that we and the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate together requested a pontifical PJP for our sponsored Marian University and their University of St. Francis”, said Sr. Maureen Irvin, OSF, Congregational Minister, Sisters of St. Francis of Oldenburg, IN. “Knowing that our strong tradition as Catholic, Franciscan Universities is assured into the future fulfills the long-standing hope of our Sisters, as well as the entire Marian University community.”
“Rome's approval of the Franciscan higher education PJP is a statement of confidence – both in the continuity of mission and the vitality of sponsorship,” notes Dr. Donna Carroll, President of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, Washington, D.C. “The Franciscan sisters and their academic ministries have established a structure that helps ensure the Catholic identity and charism of the universities into the future. It is a courageous and generous effort.”
Dr. Arvid Johnson, President of the University of St. Francis, commented that, "This is a great opportunity – and the beginning of USF’s ‘next chapter’, hand-in-hand with our founding and sponsoring Sisters – and in accordance with the charge of Mother M. Thomasine Frye (USF’s first president) to ‘always remain Franciscan’."
About the Oldenburg Franciscans:
The Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis, Oldenburg, are women of prayer, committed to the Gospel values as lived by St. Francis and Mother Theresa Hackelmeier. From their life in community, they are sent to extend the mission of Jesus through their presence and service. Enlivened by a spirit of justice, reconciliation and peace, they collaborate with others in responding to the needs of the world. Their sponsored ministries include Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception (https://www.oldenburgacademy.org) and Marian University (https://www.marian.edu)
About the Joliet Franciscans:
Led by the Spirit, the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate (Joliet Franciscans) embrace the Gospel life by commitment to Franciscan values and respond to the needs of our time through prayer, community, and ministry. Following the example of Mother Alfred Moes, they are women religious who take risks, assume new tasks, and devote new energies as they seek out those in need and share their lives with them. Their sponsored ministries include Joliet Catholic Academy (https://www.jca-online.org) and the University of St. Francis (https://www.stfrancis.edu).