Order of St Anne (OSA)

The Order of St. Anne was founded in 1910 by Father Frederick Cecil Powell of the Society of St. John the Evangelist in Arlington Heights, Mass. The Sisters live a modified Benedictine Rule, dedicated to a life of prayer and good works beneficial to all people including children. The Sisters of St. Anne came to Chicago in 1921 invited by then rector of the Church of the Ascension, the Revd Stoskopf, to do parish work and other needed services in the Diocese of Chicago. The Chicago convent is autonomous, although Sisters live as part of the church of the Ascension.

According to our Rule “the Order of St. Anne cannot be designated as professing exclusively the contemplative, the mixed or active spirit” since all three may be found within the Order. The principal of the Order is the life of God within it and whatsoever He may say to us – whether to sit at His feet only or feed His lambs – which we must do. While our works are important, it must be kept in mind that God calls us to a life of prayer. The Sisters are involved in parish work, especially at the Church of the Ascension doing whatever is needed. The sisters also work with the homeless, alcoholics, addicts and other emotionally and mentally disturbed people. The sisters work as teachers, counsellors and hospital chaplains. A future plan is for a recovery home for addicts, alcoholics and emotionally disturbed women.