Mother Maria Kaupas (Casimira Kaupas) was born in Ramygala, Lithuania on January 6, 1880.  In 1897 Casimira Kaupas traveled to Scranton, Pennsylvania, to work as a housekeeper for her brother, Rev. Anthony Kaupas, a priest who was serving at St. Joseph’s Parish. During that time she saw women religious for the first time and was attracted by their way of life.  Casimira also witnessed the plight of the Lithuanian immigrants who were in need of someone to minister to them in their native language.  Lonesome for her family and her homeland, she returned to Lithuania in 1901 but continued to discern God’s call.  She soon resolved to become a teaching religious, devoted to helping the Lithuanians in America.

Aware of Casimira’s intent, her brother informed her that the American Lithuanian clergy sought to establish a Lithuanian congregation of women religious for the purpose of educating the youth in a Catholic setting, and help preserve the Lithuanian language and customs.  Casimira was asked to lead this new venture and she began her studies toward this end.  When the Lithuanian Priests Council disbanded in 1904, Casimira determined nonetheless to pursue the idea of a new religious Congregation.

 In 1905, Bishop Shanahan of the diocese of Harrisburg agreed to sponsor this new Congregation and Mother M. Cyril, IHM, accepted Casimira Kaupas and her two companions into the novitiate of the Sisters Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton, Pennsylvania for their preparation for religious life.  On August 29, 1907, Casimira made her profession of vows, received the name Sister Maria, and the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Casimir was founded.

 Immediately the Sisters of St. Casimir began their ministry of Catholic education.  In 1911, they established their Motherhouse in Chicago, where there was a large Lithuanian population. There they began to staff schools in Lithuanian parishes.  Mother Maria also sent Sisters to teach in many Lithuanian and non-Lithuanian parishes across the United States, including home missions in New Mexico.  In 1928, the Sisters of St. Casimir began their health care ministry with the opening of Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago.

 Mother Maria Kaupas died on April 17, 1940.  Her holiness, her deep faith and love for God, and the service that has been rendered by the Congregation she founded over these past 103 years, all testify to Mother Maria’s life of virtue.  Her life continues to be an inspiration to many. 

 Currently the Sisters of St. Casimir sponsor both Maria High School and Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago; they are also on staff at St. Paul-Our Lady of Vilna School, St. Clement School, Holy Family Villa in Lemont, and the Archdiocesan Center for Inclusive Education at St. Bede’s.  The Sisters operate the St. Elizabeth Food Pantry at their Motherhouse and are active members of the Southwest Organizing Project, a neighborhood organization committed to improving the quality of life for residents living in the southwest area of Chicago.

 In addition to their ministries in Chicago, the Sisters of St. Casimir sponsor a high school in Pennsylvania (Villa Joseph Marie), minister at Lake Michigan Catholic Middle/High School in St. Joseph Michigan, are on staff at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas, and minister in Argentina.

To learn more about the Venerable Servant of God Maria Kaupas, and her Cause for Sainthood, download this pdf file: Mother Maria Biography

Read more about the announcement: American woman closer to sainthood: Casimira Maria Kaupas.  http://communio.stblogs.org/2010/07/american-woman-closer-to-saint.html

The Sisters of St. Casimir renewed their pledge to care for the earth at an Arbor Day Prayer Service held Friday,  April 29^th, on the SSC Motherhouse Campus. The Sisters were joined by Motherhouse employees, Maria High School Environmental Club students and Maria staff, and representatives from Holy Cross Hospital. Everyone present contributed a little soil to the new tree and each had the opportunity to offer a special prayer for the world and all who live in it.   The 2^nd Annual SSC Tree Planting Prayer Service culminated with the planting of a young tree on the Motherhouse grounds.

To see pictures of this event, click:  SSC Arbor Day 2011

Maria High School student volunteers take a break from sorting food and filling shelves with Sister Mary Louise Andrulonis, SSC, Site Director of the SSC Food Pantry. The Sisters of St. Casimir Food Pantry received a Jewel-Osco Hunger Relief Grant that will help provide food assistance for the more than 200 families the SSC Food Pantry serves each month.

With the Jewel-Osco Relief Grant, Sister Mary Louise Andrulonis, Site Director for the SSC Food Pantry, was also able to purchase a laptop computer and printer, which will help to increase the efficiency of the Pantry. In addition, Sister Mary Louise  purchased several large storage totes, and the SSC Food Pantry received a food voucher for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. 

In June, Sister Mary Louise will participate in a special class sponsored by the Greater Chicago Food Depository specifically designed to demonstrate the use of technology to order food and to improve general communications with the Depository. This step in advancing the use of technology within the SSC Food Pantry has been made possible through the Jewel-Osco Hunger Relief Grant.  “I am so grateful for the opportunity to implement new ways to enhance the effectiveness of this ministry,” remarked Sister Mary Louise.

Although the SSC Food Pantry has been in operation since 1994, there has been a resurgence of energy, enthusiasm, interest and support in this outreach of the Sisters of St. Casimir because of the increased need for this service within the neighborhood surrounding the Motherhouse.  Sister Mary Louise has reached out for new volunteers to assist the five dedicated SSC Sisters who help each week in the Pantry.  “Simply Serving with Compassion” has become the motto for SSC Food Pantry volunteers and donors.

Local parishes, schools, and community organizations provide generous donations of non-perishable food throughout the year.  Benefactors include the Blessed Jurgis Matulaitis Mission, Curves (63rd & Kenneth), Knights of Lithuania Council 16, Lithuanian World Center, Maria High School, Marquette Bank, Holy Cross Hospital employees, Nativity B.V.M., Queen of the Universe, St. John Fisher, St. Linus, St. Mary Star of the Sea and St. Norbert.  The Pantry also accepts donations from individuals.  If you are interested in supporting these community efforts, please contact the Sisters of St. Casimir at 773-776-1324 or through their website “contact us” page.

The Motherhouse Chapel decorated for Christmas.

The Sisters of St. Casimir invite all to the Motherhouse chapel on January 8, 2011 at 9:30 AM, for Mass praying for the beatification of  their foundress, Venerable Servant of God Maria Kaupas.

Masses have been held monthly for over 20 years, praying for Mother Maria.  Attendance has grown as favors are received through her intercession.  January’s Mass will commemorate the birth of Mother Maria, and the Sisters have planned a special liturgy.  They welcome Rev. Manuel Dorantes, Associate Pastor of St. Clement Parish, as celebrant.  The Sisters invite everyone to enjoy “Coffee And …” afterwards. For more information, call 773.776.1324.

The Nativity in the SSC Chapel.

Sr. Immaculate Wendt, SSC (left) and Sr. Therese O'Rourke, IHM use salt to symbolize the relational bond between their two communities.

On July 23, 2010 the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Scranton, PA and the Sisters of St. Casimir, Chicago, IL promulgated the deepening of the bond between our congregations through a covenant relationship.  A relational bond between our two congregations has existed from the very founding of the Sisters of St. Casimir when Venerable Servant of God Maria Kaupas and her first companions received their religious formation at the motherhouse of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at Marywood in Scranton, PA.

Through this covenant relationship we will seek ways to collaborate with one another in order that each Congregation may fulfill its mission and our founders’ vision long into the future.

The beautiful and meaningful ritual for the IHM/SSC Covenant that took place at the IHM Center in Scranton, PA in July 2010 used the powerful symbolism of salt for its qualities of preserving, enhancing, flavoring, healing, and staying with the process.  We rejoice in this new venture that is both historic and creative, and truly an inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Sister Immacula Wendt                               Sister Therese O’Rourke and the Sisters,

and the Sisters of St. Casimir                      Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

The Sisters of St. Casimir invite all to come, pray and celebrate with them for a Summer Celebration on Saturday, August 28, 2010 in commemoration of the 103^rd Anniversary of the Congregation’s founding. The day begins with a Mass at 9:30 AM in the Motherhouse Chapel (2601 W. Marquette Rd., Chicago) to pray for the beatification of Foundress, Mother Maria Kaupas.  The Celebration will follow in the SSC Auditorium immediately after the Mass. The day’s activities are geared for all ages.  Music, raffles, grab bags, refreshments, baked goods and unique ceramics will be available.  The Summer Celebration ends at 2:00 PM.   All proceeds will support the Sisters of St. Casimir Retirement Fund.  For more information, call (773) 776-1324.

Earth Day was a beautiful, sunny day – a perfect day to plant a tree.  Laima Jakelaitis, Motherhouse employee, reflected on the experience:  “Every person should plant a tree during his/her lifetime.  A person  dies, but the tree that is planted lives on.  May the tree which we planted grow strong and tall because, together with the soil we placed around the tree, we also placed the warmth of our hearts.  The branches  reach to heaven and the roots reach deep into the earth.”

Sister Pieta Lansberkas, 102, and Sister Mildred Penkunas, 100, were the oldest participants in this special prayer service.  They were joined by other Sisters, employees, representatives from Holy Cross Hospital and Maria High School, including the school’s environmental club, and friends.  Visit our Photo Gallery to see pictures of the Sisters of St. Casimir Earth Day Tree Planting.

The Sisters of St. Casimir Auxiliary is sponsoring its Annual Games/Bingo Party on Sunday, April 25, 2010.  It will take place in the Maria High School Cafeteria, 67th and S. California Avenue, Chicago.  Doors open at 12:00 noon and the Bingo games begin at 2 PM.  Refreshments will be available – Lithuanian kugelis, too.  In addition to raffles there will be a Bake Sale.  Admission is a $3.00 donation.  All are welcome.  For more information, call 773-776-1324.  All are invited to experience this most enjoyable afternoon!

Our Mission

The Sisters of Saint Casimir of Chicago was founded in 1907 by Venerable Servant of God Maria Kaupas in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  We are a Congregation of women religious dedicated to offering the hope and joy of a deep faith life to our present world. read more >