Since 1633, the Daughters of Charity have served where we are needed most.
Weekly Thoughts and Prayers
Week of August 16, 2026
“The earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor; she “groans in travail: (Rom 8:22). We have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth (cf. Gen 2:7); our very bodies are made up of her elements; we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters.” Pope Francis
Loving Creator, Jesus our Savior, Spirit of life, we are one with the earth. We hear her cries of anguish. Help us to be instruments of healing and hope in all we do and speak today for the earth and for all creation. Amen.
Provincial Meeting 2026
Sisters from the Province gathered July 7 – 12 for the Provincial Assembly with the theme: Artisans of Peace and Hope. It was a time of joy, meaningful dialogue, and beautiful times of prayer together.
Sisters Under Ten Years Vocation
Formation Weekend in Los Altos Hills
Fourteen Sisters under 10 years of vocation from both the Provinces of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Louise gathered together at Seton to share prayer, dialogue, as well as fun, laughter, and many joyful moments. Their sessions were led by Father Dick Benson, CM, and included topics such as Catholic social teaching, healthy friendships, and communal and private prayer. The group sharing was full of energy, with deep, thoughtful insights.
Sister Francoise Petit, D.C.
Superioress General Visits the Province of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Sister Francoise Petit, Superioress General of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul oversees the 11,000 Sisters that have ministries in 97 countries. She visited the Province of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in November along with Sister Julie Kubasak, General Councillor for English speaking countries.
During her stay in the Province, she visited with the Sisters and their ministries in the San Francisco Bay Area (Rosalie Rendu Center, Epiphany Center, DeMarillac Academy, and Villa Siena). In Los Angeles, she met students at Mother of Sorrows School, and saw programs at Maryvale, Meals on Wheels, and the Tiny Homes Village.
Everywhere she went, Sister Françoise brought a sense of joy and excitement with her spirit of kindness, deep interest, and openness and was met with much gratitude for her visit. Sister Françoise was recently appointed by Pope Leo XIV as a member of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, a great honor and privilege!
OUR MINISTRIES
In the Province of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, our roots run deep. Through the years we built and staffed orphanages, schools, and medical facilities, and our ministries have adapted to the changing needs of their communities.
View Our Ministries Here
View Our Other Areas of Focus in Advocacy
Environment • Homelessness and Insecure Housing • Human Trafficking • Hunger • Immigration • Racism
Transitions
In Loving Memory
Sister Louise O’Neill, DC
June 12, 2026 | 100 years of age
81 years of vocation | educator
In Loving Memory
Sister Camille Cuadra, DC
October 24, 2025 | 92 years of age
73 years of vocation | educator
The Daughters of Charity are called to serve Jesus Christ in the person of the poor and the marginalized. We do this in a spirit of humility, simplicity, and charity. Motivated by the love of Christ and strengthened by a deep prayer life… we live together in community… supporting each other in our common mission of service. Besides vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience… we also make a special vow of service of the poor. These vows are non-religious, annual, and always renewable. The Catholic Church acknowledges us as a Society of Apostolic Life. Since 1852, up and down the Coast of California, the Daughters of Charity helped settle California through Health Care, Education, Religion, and Social Work.