History of our Institute:
The Sisters Minor of Mary Immaculate (SMMI) is a religious Institute founded by Maria Elisabetta Patrizi, assisted by Fr. Elia M. Bruson, OFM Conv., in Rome on August 14, 1983. After 2 years, the Institute was canonically erected in the diocese of Rome as a public association of the faithful.
With the decree of June 18, 1993, the SMMI was erected as a religious Institute of diocesan right. The Institute was officially entrusted to the Friars Minor Conventual by the Order’s Father General thus, recognizing the sisters as members of the Franciscan family.
In August 2008, the SMMI celebrated their 25th anniversary in Rome, Italy. For health reasons, the foundress concluded her Generalate half way through her six-year term. Shortly thereafter, the Institute was assigned an Extraordinary Commissioner by Cardinal Augustino Vallini, Vicar General to the Holy Father. The Commissioner presently governs the Institute and is preparing the SMMI for a General Chapter.
Presently, the Sisters Minor of Mary Immaculate continue their work with the Militia of the Immaculata throughout the world and are committed to deepening their personal and communitarian religious formation for a greater fidelity to their particular spirituality and their mission in the Church.
With the decree of June 18, 1993, the SMMI was erected as a religious Institute of diocesan right. The Institute was officially entrusted to the Friars Minor Conventual by the Order’s Father General thus, recognizing the sisters as members of the Franciscan family.
In August 2008, the SMMI celebrated their 25th anniversary in Rome, Italy. For health reasons, the foundress concluded her Generalate half way through her six-year term. Shortly thereafter, the Institute was assigned an Extraordinary Commissioner by Cardinal Augustino Vallini, Vicar General to the Holy Father. The Commissioner presently governs the Institute and is preparing the SMMI for a General Chapter.
Presently, the Sisters Minor of Mary Immaculate continue their work with the Militia of the Immaculata throughout the world and are committed to deepening their personal and communitarian religious formation for a greater fidelity to their particular spirituality and their mission in the Church.
Spirituality:
The Sisters Minor of Mary Immaculate (SMMI) is an international Franciscan religious congregation of women who give themselves to God without any limit, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit, by the mediation of Mary Immaculate, in whose hands they place themselves unconditionally as instruments in order to live as far as possible under the influence of Mary, and in this way render the greatest glory to God. With St. Maximilian Mary Kolbe, they want, in their personal lives and in their life in the church, to increase the appreciation and effectiveness of the "fullness of grace" and the maternal mediation of Mary Immaculate. The sole incentive of the SMMI is "unlimited love for the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, with the aim of uniting to Him, through Mary Immaculate, the greatest possible number of souls in the closest way." Associated to the Order of Friar Minor Conventuals, they belong to the great Franciscan family and to the Kolbean institutes, sharing in the ideals and activities of the Knights of the Immaculata (or Militia Immaculatae) founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe. St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, who greatly influenced St. Maximilian's spirituality, is recognized as the Institute's spiritual mother. The Sisters profess four vows: poverty, chastity, obedience and a fourth vow of living in total dependence on Mary Immaculate, in order to do the will of God with her and like her. Through life in community with daily Mass, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Divine Office and the Rosary, the Sisters draw strength and grace for the apostolate. At present, the Sisters are located in
APOSTOLATES:
In the United States, they are present in Connecticut. The Sisters work in various apostolates, leading souls to Jesus through Mary:
- Italy
- Poland
- Turkey
- United States
APOSTOLATES:
In the United States, they are present in Connecticut. The Sisters work in various apostolates, leading souls to Jesus through Mary:
- pastoral care
- work with the Militia of the Immaculata (conferences, prayer meetings, publications, pro-life activities, group consecrations to Mary Immaculate, etc.)
- parish work and catechesis
- activities in the local Diocese