History

    In 1902, back in Lithuania, young Casimira Kaupas resolved to become a teaching religious to help the Lithuanian Americans with the resources to sustain their faith, their spiritual and cultural identity and values, since it was impossible to do so in her native land. She accepted the offer of Father A. Milukas to study at Ingenbohl, Switzerland in preparation for taking part in his "New Project" - a Lithuanian society for women devoted primarily to the press, but also possibly to teaching.

    Casimira spent three years in Ingenbohl, Switzerland where the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross taught and prepared her for the work to which God called her. At this time, she asked her brother and his friend, Father A. Milukas to find a priest who would assume responsibility for the Congregation. In 1905, the Rev. Doctor Anthony Staniukynas accepted.

    Father Staniukynas succeeded in getting his bishop, Bishop Shanahan of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to sponsor the Congregation. At the Bishop's request, Mother M. Cyril, IHM accepted Casimira and her two companions into the novitiate of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at Scranton, Pennsylvania. 

    In August of 1907, the three became novices. Father Staniukynas decided the Lithuanian girls must take for themselves, the name of Lithuania’s Patron, Saint Casimir. Thus was born a new congregation in the Church: the Sisters of St. Casimir. On the evening of August 28, 1907, Casimira asked the Bishop to give the Sisters their religious names. He turned to each, touched each one  and said, "You, Casimira will be Sister Maria, you, Judith will be Sister Concepta, and you, Antanina will be Sister Immaculata."

    Now professed Sisters, they were ultimately concerned with preserving and nurturing the faith life of Lithuanian immigrants, Sister Maria and her two companions began their apostolate of education at Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania in January, 1908. 

    Then came the momentous decision to locate their Motherhouse in Chicago,  where the largest Lithuanian population had settled. The construction of the Motherhouse was completed in 1911, and St. Casimir Academy was opened.

    Parish after parish sought teaching Sisters; appeals came from Waukegan, IL, Philadelphia, PA, and other Lithuanian colonies spread throughout the United States. Young women swelled the community's ranks. 

    In 1913, Sister Maria was elected first Superior General, an office to which she was re-elected until her death. For twenty-seven years, she carried out these responsibilities with  great humility and charity.

        In 1928, Mother Maria established Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago and later assumed sponsorship of Loretto Hospital in Chicago and of several smaller hospitals in Nebraska, to extend the healing hand of Christ to suffering people. She sent Sisters to "home missions" in New Mexico in 1937, where they found primitive conditions yet also true joy in ministry. She was planning to send her Sisters to Argentina, South America, but this only became a reality in 1941 after her death. Mother Maria's apostolic endeavors were strengthened by a deep life of prayer and devotion to Christ present in the Eucharist, thus enabling her to maintain a spirit of peace and joy in the midst of her dynamic activities.

    During the last years of her life, Mother Maria suffered from cancer. Despite her illness, she continued in her duties as Superior General as long as she was able - a true example of courage, patience in suffering and acceptance of God's will. Mother Maria died in an aura of sanctity on April 17, 1940, at the Motherhouse in Chicago, Illinois, surrounded by her Sisters.

SSC Auxiliary

    Prior to the establishment of the Sisters of St. Casimir Auxiliary, the main source of financial support for the Sisters was the result of the untiring but eventual strength-sapping labors of Father Anthony Staniukynas. With his death in 1918, the Sisters of St. Casimir lost not only their spiritual father, devoted guardian, and zealous organizer, but also their indefatigable fund-raiser and solicitor. For a brief but rewarding period, Father Fabian Kemesis, close associate and friend of Father Staniukynas, together with Fathers Francis Serafinas and D. Miksys, assumed the responsibility of soliciting funds for the continued support of the Sisters.

    Thanks to the interest and initiative of Father Kemesis, the first-ever enterprise was inaugurated - enlisting the support of laywomen for the purpose of financially aiding the Sisters and helping them teach their mission. Assisting and encouraging him in this project was Reverend Francis Peter Bucys, M.I.C., the Sisters chaplain at the time of the Auxiliary founding. Backed by these two priest-supporters, Miss Theodora Andriuskevicius conceived the idea to form an organization with the objective to help the Sisters of St. Casmir.

    At one time the Auxiliary had 6,000 members. Today, the 500 members are still  vitally involved with the institutions and the Congregation. Purposes of the organization from its inception concentrated on the promotion and advancement of the material welfare and needs of the Sisters of St. Casimir; provision of financial aid to novices and postulants in the Community of the Sisters of St. Casimir; and funding scholarships to daughters of members. Although the Auxiliary was formally organized to help support the Sisters, lately the funds raised by the Auxiliary members have been used for Infirmary needs. Annually, the Auxiliary holds a Spring Bingo fundraiser and an October Banquet.

    For more information on the Sisters of St. Casimir Auxiliary, contact the Moderator, Sister Genevieve Kripas at 773-776-1324. Annual memberships are $5. Perpetual memberships are $100, Perpetual honor memberships are $500 and Perpetual Founder Memberships are $1,000.

Our Logo

    The congregation's emblem - lily, sword and crown was designed by Bishop Shanahan of Harrisburg, PA, and given to the Sisters of Saint Casimir as a Christmas present in 1907. The lily symbolizes single heartedness; the sword symbolizes the need to do battle against self-centeredness; and the crown symbolizes the gift promised by Jesus to those who are faithful.