The Pilgrimage Continues: Part 4 – Rome and Cantalice

In Part 4 of the pilgrimage story, Felician Sisters visit Rome and Cantalice.

After saying goodbye to Poland, the Sister pilgrims made their way to Rome, Italy, where they celebrated Mass on the Feast of St. Felix at his tomb.

From Rome, they traveled to St. Felix’s church in Cantalice, the restoration of which was funded in part by the Felician Sisters. The church was built just above the home where St. Felix grew up and is adorned with a statue of St. Felix wearing his Capuchin habit and holding the Baby Jesus in his arms.

Several members of the Brotherhood of Saint Felix welcomed the Sisters and offered to take them to the Chapel of St. Felice all’Acqua, where St. Felix struck the ground with a wooden rod and, miraculously, a spring appeared. The Sisters blessed themselves with the water that continues to flow from the spring today.

The day ended with a visit to the former Friary at Cittaducale, where Felix entered the Capuchins. The Poor Clare Sisters who live there now graciously opened the chapel for them. Legend says that Felix presented himself to the local minister who sent him to this same chapel. Hours later, the local minister found Felix still praying, and he was accepted as a friar.

One priest shared his thoughts about Felix and Blessed Mary Angela, saying, “We did not choose St. Felix as our patron. He chose us…Perhaps Felix stood beside God in heaven, looked down at all the communities, and said, pointing to Mother Angela, ‘Can I have this one?’ Felix chose us. Certainly it is a grace we do not comprehend.”

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Serving where needed since 1874

Founded in Poland in 1855, the Felician Sisters are a congregation of women religious inspired by the spiritual ideals of their foundress, Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska, and Saints Francis of Assisi, Clare of Assisi and Felix of Cantalice. Arriving in North America in 1874 following Blessed Mary Angela’s directive “to serve where needed,” they helped to weave the social service system. Today, the Felician Sisters founded, sponsor or support through the presence of our sisters, more than 40 ministries – all continuing to evolve to meet the needs of the people they serve.

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  • Felician Sisters of North America is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization.
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Felician Sisters of North America