Blessed Mary Frances Schervier, 1819-1876
The German Franciscan who founded the Sisters of the Poor of Saint Francis and personally nursed soldiers of the Civil War in America.

    Daughter of Johann Heinrich Schervier, a wealthy needle-factory owner and vice-mayor of Aachen; god-daughter of Emperor Francis I of Austria.
    She ran her father’s household at age 16 after the death of her mother and two older sisters to tuberculosis, and had a reputation for generosity to the poor.    
    In 1844 she became a Secular Franciscan, and in 1845 she and four companions established a religious community devoted to caring for the poor, the Sisters of the Poor of Saint Francis.

    Their first community in the United States was founded 1858, and Mother Frances visited in 1863 to help her sisters nurse wounded Civil War soldiers. She visited the United States again in 1868, encouraging Philip Hoever in his establishment of the Brothers of the Poor of Saint Francis, and overseeing the foundation of several hospitals.

    Cured of asthma in 1870 by making a pilgrimage to the healing waters of Lourdes. When Mother Frances died there were 2,500 members of her community worldwide, and the numbers continue to grow as they operate hospitals and homes for the aged.

Born 3 January 1819 at Aachen, Germany

Died 14 December 1876 at Aachen Germany of natural causes

Beatified 1974 by Pope Paul VI at Rome, Italy

Additional Information
          http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintm57.htm

Catholic Information Network
Franciscan Sisters of the Poor Foundation
Franciscan Sisters
Catholic Encyclopedia: Sisters of the Poor of Saint Francis

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Readings

"You are my friends if you do what I command you.... I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another." (John 15:14,17) If we do this faithfully and zealously, we will experience the truth of the words of our father Saint Francis who says that love lightens all difficulties and sweetens all bitterness. We will likewise partake of the blessing which Saint Francis promised to all his children, both present and future, after having admonished them to love one another even as he had loved them and continues to love them. Mother Mary Frances, 1868, writing to her sisters