Franciscan Handmaids of the Most Pure Heart of Mary
The Franciscan Handmaids of the Most Pure Heart of Mary are a historically Black Catholic congregation of nuns co-founded by Mary Theodore Williams and Ignatius Lissner in 1916. They follow the Rule of the Third Order of St. Francis. Their primary mission has always been education, primarily of children of the African-American community.
Motherhouse in NYC as of 2010.
Mother Mary Theodore Williams, foundress of the Handmaids.
Ignatius Francis Lissner, S.M.A. was a French-born Catholic priest who was instrumental in developing the ministry of the Church in the United States to the African-American population.
Ignatius Lissner
Historical marker for Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, founded by Ignatius Lissner in Atlanta.
Franciscan Handmaids' motherhouse in New York City in 2010.
St. Anthony's Mission House, a racially integrated minor seminary founded by Fr Ignatius Lissner of the Society of African Missions in 1921. Originally located in Highwood, Bergen County, New Jersey.