Mother Mary Monica Sybilska

Mother Mary Monica Sybilska was appointed first superior of the American foundation by Felician Foundress Mother Mary Angela Truszkowska. 

As provincial superior, Mother Monica served as treasurer, teacher, and director of novices. She formed the young community and laid a broad foundation for its future development. Mother Monica was not disheartened by the humble beginnings of the first American province. Her cheerful trust in God sustained her courage in the face of innumerable obstacles. In a short time, she established a school, an orphanage, a novitiate, and an academy for aspirants.

In 1882, when the Congregation had outgrown the small Wisconsin community of their beginning, Mother Monica established the first province more centrally, in Detroit. Under her prudent and wise leadership, the foundation flourished. Between 1874 and 1895, the sisters conducted 41 schools throughout the United States. 

In 1887, Mother Monica initiated the American Felicians in the apostolate of nursing by erecting and staffing a 10-bed hospital in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Two other projects took root there: an orphanage and a home for the aged.

Blessed with the gift of foresight, Mother Monica provided the sisters with academic and professional teacher training at the Seminary of the Felician Sisters, founded in 1882. Ten years later, Mother Monica sent sisters to state normal schools for teacher certification.

The Franciscan spirit and ideals that animated Mother Monica's every act are the legacy she bequeathed to her Felician daughters on North American soil.