Mary Theresa Dudzik Explained

Mary Theresa Dudzik (August 30, 1860 – September 20, 1918) was a Catholic nun who founded the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago in 1894.[1]

Biography

Mary Theresa Dudzik was born as Josephine Dudzik on August 30, 1860 in Płocicz, Poland.[2] In 1881 her family emigrated to Chicago, Illinois,[3] where she later became a member of Third Order Secular of St. Francis.

In Chicago she encountered the poor, elderly and abandoned.[4] She allowed the poor women to stay at her home. With the support of her colleagues, she decided to purchase or rent a home to provide shelter for the poor and elderly.[5] She, along with her friends, generated the required funds for the charitable activities through “cleaning, cooking, and sewing in rectories and homes”.[2]

In 1894 she founded the "Franciscan Sisters of the Blessed Kunegunda", now known as the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, to care the needy particularly elderly.[4] Henry Malak wrote several books and articles about her.

She died in Chicago on September 20, 1918 following “cancer.”

Notes and References

  1. Book: Sokol, Stanley S.. 1992. The Polish Biographical Dictionary: Profiles of Nearly 900 Poles who Have Made Lasting Contributions to World Civilization . 30 May 2022. Wauconda, Illinois. Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers . 103. 978-0-865-16245-7.
  2. Book: Litoff, Judy Barrett . 1994. European Immigrant Women in the United States: A Biographical Dictionary. 30 May 2022. Oxfordshire. Taylor & Francis . 83. 978-0-824-05306-2.
  3. Book: Pacyga, Dominic A. . 5 November 2021. American Warsaw: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Polish Chicago. 30 May 2022. Chicago . University of Chicago Press . 64. 978-0-226-81534-3.
  4. Book: Coffey, Kathy . 16 February 2012. Companion to the Calendar, Second Edition: A Guide to the Saints, Seasons, and Holidays of the Year. 30 May 2022. Chicago . Liturgy Training Publications. 118. 978-1-568-54260-7.
  5. Book: Granacki, Victoria . 2004. Chicago's Polish Downtown . 30 May 2022. Charleston, South Carolina . Arcadia Publishing . 42. 978-0-738-53286-8.

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