Franciscan Handmaids

of the Most Pure
Heart of Mary

About Us

Our Mission

In the spirit of Francis and Clare, Father Lissner and Mother Theodore, and compelled by the love of Jesus, we, the Franciscan Handmaids of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, are committed to joyful evangelization and empowerment of people, especially those experiencing discrimination.

Our Leadership

Congregation Minister:
Sister Gertrude Lilly Ihenacho, FHM
FHM Revitalization 2010 – 2014

It is not about me, but about Him; the Omnipotent God; the Alpha and Omega.

It is about Jesus, conceived in a virgin womb and born out of the Pure Heart of Mary, the humble handmaid.

It is about the Holy Spirit, who freely bestows Its gifts and blows where It wills.

I come among you with a spiritual service of “Charity of Truth.” PEACE!

Vice Minister :
Sister Loretta Theresa Richards, FHM

Counselor:
Sister Leonie Therese Obinna

My name is Sister Leonie Therese Obinna from Nigeria. I was raised by devoted and dedicated Catholic parents who believe in this unique Igbo tradition that says “It takes a village to raise a child.”

At a young age, I felt a great devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus and St. Theresa of the child Jesus, which, I believe, played a great part in my call to religious life. I am very pleased for this precious call of love and service. My prayer is to ask God to continue showing His blessings upon me to be faithful to His gospel as I strive to live out the Franciscan Handmaids of Mary soulful evangelization and empowerment of the people, especially those experiencing injustice in our society.

Counselor:
Sister Rose Mary Hazelton, FHM

"I am a Counselor and have been a member of the Congregation for many years. I enjoy teaching religion to four-year-olds at St. Benedict’s Day Nursery."

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Who We Are

Franciscan Handmaids of Mary in front of the Motherhouse, Harlem, NY

In front of the Motherhouse, Harlem, NY:
Top row: Priscilla Takuh, Sister Mary Celine (of Blessed Memory), Sister Pauline, Sister Mathilde
Middle row: Sister Vincent Marie, Sister Francisco, Sister Gertrude Lilly, Sister Patricia Marie, Sister Celine, Sister Georginah Therese, Sister Leonie Therese
Bottom row: Sister Marie Annunciata, Sister Maria Goretti, Sister Catherine Eugene, Sister Rose Mary, Sister Perpetua, Sister Chala Marie, Sister Mary Magdalen (of Blessed Memory)

We are a congregation of sisters founded by Rev. Ignatius Lissner, SMA, and Mother Theodore Williams, FHM, an African-American woman, in Savannah, Georgia, in 1916.

We are followers of St. Francis committed to the gospel way of life.

Sister Hyacinth (of Blessed Memory)

We are disciples of Christ consecrated to Him by vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

We are women religious based in New York, with our motherhouse in Harlem.

We are daughters of Mary dedicated to serve one another and those committed to our care with the same diligence, zeal and love with which she served her Divine Son.

We are Handmaids of the Most Pure Heart of Mary bound together in the service of our God and our people.

We are a community of sisters from diverse cultural backgrounds united in the service of God’s people, particularly those of African descent.

We are evangelists compelled by the love of Christ to teach, to counsel, to catechize, to comfort, to heal and to be instruments of God’s peace and justice.

We are missionaries who have served with

the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement in High Point, North Carolina
the Josephite Fathers in Wilmington, North Carolina
the Society of African Mission Fathers in Georgetown, South Carolina
the Passionist Fathers in Kingston, Jamaica
and we are working with an African mission in Nigeria.

We are the sisters who have opened wide our doors to the poor, the sick, the hungry, the imprisoned, the oppressed, the immigrant, the homeless, the child, the youth, and the aged.

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