As Daughters of Charity, we cherish our Heritage Story. The compassionate care we offer those we serve in our ministries shines as brightly today as it did so many years ago in Paris when St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac formed the Values and Mission that we embrace each day.

We’ve selected a number of stories that we hope you will enjoy. The first five stories are excerpts from our books Forever in our Hearts: Lives of our Deceased Sisters 1969-1985 and Forever in our Hearts: Lives of our Deceased Sisters 1986-1994. Each story reveals the courage and dedication that led our Daughters to first settle in San Francisco in 1852; Los Angeles in 1856; and Santa Barbara in 1858. All stories have been edited for space.

We offer our stories in communion with our Daughters of Charity worldwide. For it is in these tales of the lives of our deceased companions that we attest to the love and affirmation with which Our Lord has blessed our service.

First five stories:

• Sister Barbara Murphy – The first Daughter of Charity to die in the new Province of the West.
• Sister Ursula Peternel – Born in Austria-Hungry in 1910, she was recognized as a community leaders and advocate for the poor.
• Sister Helen Harrington – Eldest of three sisters who became Daughters of Charity. Earned her PhD in English and History in 1935.
• Sister Anne Casey – High spirited and dynamic San Francisco-born educator.
• Sister Frances McCarthy – Well-loved Daughter whose rich prayer life helped her overcome adversity. She served as a role model for those whose lives she touched.