150 YEARS OF THE NAZARETH SISTERS

In the footsteps of Blessed Frances Siedliska in Rome (32)

Sr. M. Beata Rudzińska, CSFN

Via Merulana – 1876

The first proprietary house of the Nazareth Sisters was located in a special place. From its windows one could see the Basilicas of St. John in the Lateran and of St. Mary Major, the Colosseum and the remains of the Imperial Forums. It is hard to believe, but at that time, with the exception of the aforementioned buildings, there was virtually nothing in the area.
The diary of the general of the Resurrectionists, Fr. Peter Semenenko, already mentioned more than once, and his correspondence with Frances, are an important and practically the only source of information for us about the events at the Loreto house in 1876. Fr. Peter regularly visits the house in via Merulana. On March 6, he brings with him Canon Folchieri of the Vicariate of Rome “to visit the chapel and determine whether it was appropriate, which he did.” A day later he wrote down: “Today was the first Mass in this chapel, at which there was also M. Mary of Jesus, General of the Reparation Sisters, accompanied by Mother de St. Edmond. A moment of quiet but great grace and union in the Lord, which everyone felt – Deo gratias.” Fr. Peter also brings others to meet and support the young community, including Princess Odescalchi.
Unfortunately, the Roman summer of 1876 takes a heavy toll. In August, everyone falls ill with malaria, which was not uncommon in Rome at that time. The doctor firmly orders Frances to change the climate. She leaves for France with Br. Stephen and Maria Cuny. Unfortunately, her health does not improve. On September 24 she writes to Fr. Peter “ (…) I can’t go back yet, because I don’t have the strength to travel. You won’t believe, Father, what devastation and havoc to my health was caused by this Roman fever and quinine they gave me (…).” Adding to her health troubles are the difficulties of forming a congregation, finding suitable spiritual help and female candidates… She uses her stay in France to seek advice from a former Jesuit confessor, but this meeting does not take place.
She returns to Rome only at the end of November, already without Maria Cuny, who has decided to leave the Congregation. She remains alone with Sr. Józefa Rembiszewska, Fr. Leander and Br. Stephen.

Pictures:
Via Merulana, view of the Basilica of the Lateran -1858.
https://www.info.roma.it/foto_dettaglio.asp?ID_immagini=9241
Current view of the houses on Via Merulana (now No. 170) – CSFN