Our story begins with a little girl, Frances, born into a proud and noble Polish family on November 12, 1842. As a child, Frances showed deep spiritual sensitivity, and she seemed discontent with the whirl of social life within her home. As she grew into a young woman, these feelings blossomed into an intense longing for God.

Yet her family had different plans for Frances. Her father in particular was deeply disappointed by her rejection of the family's wealth and social status. She struggled courageously with his disapproval and her own poor health before she entered religious life at age 30.

Father Leander Lendzian, a Capuchin monk who had remained Frances' spiritual director throughout these difficult years, recognized that her spiritual vision was very unique. He told her that he believed she was being called to establish an entirely new congregation. Faithful to her motto, "Thy will be done", she founded the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1875 in Rome. She discovered within the Holy Family the perfect model of loving surrender to God. Taking on the religious name of "Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd", she and her new community of sisters established 29 foundations before her death in 1902. After authenticating a miracle attributed to her intercession, Pope John Paul II beatified Frances Siedliska on April 23, 1989, upholding her as one who had dedicated her life to living out the love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.