Franziska Schervier

About Franziska Schervier

Franziska Schervier was a German religious sister who founded the Poor Sisters of St. Francis (Franciscan Sisters of the Poor) to serve the sick and destitute. Born to a wealthy industrialist family in Aachen, Franziska was deeply affected by her mother's early death when she was only three. From youth, she devoted herself to prayer and service to the poor, working in hospitals and visiting the homes of the destitute, bringing food, medicine, and comfort. In 1845, with four companions, she founded the Poor Sisters of St. Francis, combining Franciscan poverty and simplicity with active service to the sick poor. The congregation grew rapidly, establishing hospitals, orphanages, homes for the elderly, and hospices across Germany. Franziska personally nursed wounded soldiers during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), showing heroic charity. Her sisters came to the United States in 1858, establishing numerous hospitals and social service institutions, particularly serving German immigrants. Franziska emphasized joyful service, seeing Christ in the poor and sick. She died in 1876 and was beatified by Pope Paul VI in 1974. Her congregation continues serving the poor and sick worldwide, maintaining her charism of loving service in Franciscan poverty.