Heritage Hall
The Heritage Hall of The Franciscan Sisters of Chicago is a testament of God’s loving providence in the life of our foundress, Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik. This exhibit gives an insightful view into the beginnings of the Congregation -- when Josephine Dudzik and seven other dedicated, zealous women, banded together to live as religious Sisters in order to minister to the poor, the elderly, and the crippled of Chicago.
A few of the many items on display are shown here.
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The statue of the Child Jesus which stood in the guest room of the old Motherhouse in the Avondale neighborbood on Chicago's northwest side.(detail). |
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Our Lady of Victory, a cherished item in the history of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, stood in the Superior General's office in the first Motherhouse, St. Joseph Home of Chicago (detail). |
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The threshold of Mother Mary Theresa's sleeping quarters (detail). |
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A journal of the monthly Council Meetings containing the minutes of the General Council from 1910 -- 1916. |
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The Spiritual Life by Reverend Joseph Sebastian Pelczar; a gift from Reverend Vincent Barzynski to Josephine Dudzik. It was used extensively in the early days of the order. |
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The founding Sisters supported themselves, the elderly, and the orphans by taking in washing, doing domestic work, and sewing. Some of the beautiful items the Sisters produced are displayed. |
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This Marian banner proclaims, "Mario, Jam Twe Dziecie", "Mary, I Am Your Child". |
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One of the treasures displayed is a white weskit made by Josephine Dudzik for a young girl in the neighborhood of St. Stanislaus Kostka parish. |
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The Officyum Male -- the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This was the copy belonging to Mother Mary Theresa in which she wrote A Prayer for Our Daily Needs which she composed. |
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The crucifix attached to the Franciscan Crown, the Rosary of the Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin Mary, worn by Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik during her life and embedded in a piece of her woolen habit. |
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The crucifix from Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik's casket. |
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A lead plate reading "Rest in Peace" in Polish which was attached to the top of Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik's casket. |
The Heritage Hall is located in the Our Lady of Victory Convent of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago in Lemont, Illinois. More information can be found on our Contact Us page.
For more images of The Heritage Hall, click here.