In July this year the School Sisters of St Francis, an international Franciscan community
of consecrated women, held their 20th General Chapter, focusing on the
words from St Mark’s Gospel ‘Go into the world and proclaim the Good News to all creation’.
How did St Francis understand that command of the Risen Lord and how are the sisters
trying to live it out in countries around the world today? Sr Nancy Celaschi is
a general councillor for the School Sisters of St Francis and has lived here in Rome
for over 20 years. As well as working for a while on the English edition of the Vatican
newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, she’s been very involved in Justice and Peace initiatives,
interfaith work and is now a member of the Franciscan Pilgrimage Programme. As the
general chapter came to an end, Sr Nancy talked to Philippa Hitchen about the history
of her congregation and the current focus of the community today..