The Franciscan Sisters of Chicago are proud to present the They Might Be Saints documentary on foundress Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik's life that aired on EWTN. Produced by Michael O'Neill from the radio show The Miracle Hunter, this program presents interviews and actor reenactments about her life. Michael is currently working on an extended hour long version that will be available at a later date.
Joe Malham, an artist-in-residence and iconographer at St. Gregory the Great Church in Chicago, was recently featured in Chicago Catholic for his beautiful art series entitled “Chicago Heroes.” One of the Chicago heroes Joe selected in his art series was Venerable Mary Theresa Dudzik, foundress of the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago. When the Sisters viewed the article and his art piece, they commissioned Joe to create an iconographic representation of her. Once he was finished, Joe visited Our Lady of Victory Convent in Lemont to present his artwork. The image to left is the finished iconographic art he created.
Read Mother Theresa Dudzik's personal memories of seeing the poor and needy in her neighborhood and feeling called to help them. Read about how she founded the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago to aid her in her works of mercy. Read further her own recollections of the deep interior struggles, hardships, and triumphs she experienced as she established one of the first Chicago nursing home to care for the homeless elderly and orphans of her time. Learn how these initial ministries in healthcare, education, and social work began during the eras of massive economic turmoil, labor strikes and of horrific World War I. Be inspired by Mother Theresa's unwavering faith and trust in God. The Chronicle is available for purchase in three formats through Amazon.com. The full color paperback costs $30, the black and white paperback costs $7, and the Kindle edition costs $4.19. Both paperback editions are also available in the gift shop at: Our Lady of Victory Convent, 11400 Theresa Drive, Lemont, IL, 60439. Call to arrange for curbside cash payment and paperback pickup at (630) 243-3600. |
Click here to listen to an interview between Sister Jeanne Marie Toriskie, OSF, and host Michael O'Neill from EWTN's "The Miracle Hunter" about the holy life, ministry, and Cause of Mother Mary Theresa Dudzik. |
In 1958, a priest by the name of the Reverend Henry M. Malak visited the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago's Motherhouse in Lemont, Illinois, to give a retreat to the members of the Our Lady of Czestochowa Society. He was then asked by the Sisters to lead a series of future retreats and become a retreat master for them. Father Malak agreed to serve as a retreat master and then asked the Sisters for background and historical information on their congregation to learn more about them. |