Name/Title
San Carlo (Carlino) alle Quattro FontaneEntry/Object ID
10.01.024Description
The entrance to San Carlo (Carlino) alle Quattro Fontane, a Roman Catholic church located in Rome, Italy. The church was designed by architect Francesco Borromini and was consecrated in 1646. After her arrival in Rome in 1881, Mother Clara Pfaender came here to pray.
During the 1870s, Kulturkampf caused significant strife between the Prussian government and Catholic Church in Germany. This eventually led to Bishop Konrad Martin bestowing special authority, ordinarily reserved for clergy, on Mother Clara. Known as the "Burning Seal", Mother Clara never divulged this secret, and was censored and expelled for her actions in 1880. She died in Rome in 1882 awaiting an audience with Pope Leo XIII.Context
Born in Germany in 1827, Mother Clara Pfaender founded the Franciscan Sisters, Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, in 1860. With a focus on education, nursing and care for orphaned children, the women reached out to those in need. In the following years, Sisters were sent to nations such as France, the Netherlands and the United States. There, they gained increased autonomy when America became a province in 1884, and by the early 20th Century, their health and education ministries included locations in Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Colorado. Looking to relocate, in 1947 land was purchased in Wheaton, Illinois and a new motherhouse was completed in 1955. As time passed, the Sisters continued to develop their healthcare ministry and addressed pressing issues such as Polio, Aids and affordable housing. During the early 21st Century, they celebrated the 150th anniversary of the congregation and found new sponsorships for their healthcare and housing ministries. Today, the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters continue to follow in the spirit of Mother Clara Pfaender by responding to the needs of the Church and our times.Lexicon
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Please contact the WFS Archives (archives@wfsisters.org) for further information or materials requests.