History of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters in the United States

In 1874 in Mexico City, the Reverend Father Refugio Morales OFM, inspired by the Holy Spirit, with the assistance of three young ladies, founded a Congregation of Religious Women under the title of Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. The Congregation was affiliated to the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) in 1921.

The Sisters first arrived in Santa Ana, California from Mexico City during the religious persecution in 1926. Forced to leave Mexico by the oppressive edicts of President Calles, the Sisters were welcomed to settle in Orange County by His Excellency Archbishop John J. Cantwell. Eight Sisters led by the Holy Spirit through Mother Belen Rico, Vicar General, settled in a little gray house on 5th Street, the site of the present convent and Saint Francis Home for the aged, hallmark in our community.

Soon after their arrival they became actively involved in a multitude of community and religious activities: teaching religion to Spanish speaking youngsters, as well as teaching Spanish to some of our English-speaking children and adults. The Sisters could be seen every day and many nights visiting the sick in their homes and in the hospitals that existed in Santa Ana at that time. In spite of their small number, they also busied themselves making altar bread for St. Joseph’s, St. Ann’s and Our Lady of Guadalupe Churches.

At present, the Sisters teach in schools located in Sylmar and Los Angeles, California. They conduct a Retreat House in San Fernando, two homes for the elderly at Santa Ana and San Fernando, California, two hospitals, Hermosillo and Tijuana, Mexico, a House of Prayer in Chula Vista, California and a House of Formation in Northridge, California.

Our Generalate has been located, since the beginning, in Mexico City. Our Provincial House is located in Sylmar, California.