As part of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity celebration of the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis, a sacred reading—The Dialogue of Saint Francis and Lady Poverty—was presented at the Motherhouse. It was only the second production of this becoming a Franciscan tradition.
Sister Martin Flavin adapted The Dialogue of Saint Francis and Lady Poverty as found in the Franciscan writings into a Reader’s Theatre format. She took this on as project after retiring from FSCC Sponsored Ministries. It was first presented to the Community in the summer of 2010. Listen to the original recording here.
According to Father Regis Armstrong in Francis of Assisi, vol. 1, page 523, the “The Sacred Exchange between Saint Francis and Lady Poverty” was written as an appeal to the friars to return to the idealism of poverty on which the community of Francis and his early followers was built. Saint Francis’ biblical vision of poverty is presented by Lady Poverty and Francis in the story of salvation history.
Closing Prayer prayed with the cast was as follows: Humbly receive the grace offered you. Always use it worthily for the praise and glory and honor of Him who died for you, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns, conquers and rules with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God eternal glorious, forever and ever. Amen.
Photos shared here are from the 2026 reading that included Directors Sister Anne Turba and Sister Laura Wolf, as well as these Readers in order of appearance: Narrators: Sister Adrianna Schouten, Sister Natalie Binversie; Lord God: Sister Greta Peter; Francis: Sister Myra Jean Sweigart; Angeline, citizen of Assisi: Sister Mary Kaye Winkler; Sophia, citizen of Assis:, Sister Mariella Erdmann; Isbella, Country Woman: Sister Marlita Henseler; Paola, Country Woman: Sister Mary Frances Maher; Lady Poverty: Sister Julie Ann Sheahan; Brothers: Sister Laura Wolf, Sister Carol Seidl, Sister Theresa Feldkamp, Sister Kay Klackner, Sister Sue Ann Hall, Sister Elaine Turba; Adam: Sister Jan Villemure; Angels: Sister Helen Marie Paul, Sister Ann Carla Baumann, Sister Caritas Strodthoff, Sister Carolee Vanness; Greed: Sister Pamela Biehl; Apostles: Sister Mariadele Jacobs, Sister Michelle Marie Ozuna, Sister Maria Goretti Scandaliato; Musicians: Sister Carol Juckem, Sister Carol Ann Gambsky; Composer of Music: Sister Carol Juckem.
We are grateful to Roncalli High School, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, who in true Franciscan spirit, loaned us their choir robes.
The post Franciscan Sisters Present Dialogue of Lady Poverty appeared first on Franciscan Sisters.