The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia in Aston have been around for 170 years. They survived the Civil War, the 1918 flu, the Great Depression, two World Wars, and a dramatic shift in American culture.
Now it’s unclear how much longer the 270 sisters can go on, writes Zoe Greenberg for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“It doesn’t look hopeful at this moment,” said Sister Dolores Duffy, who is 91.
The average age of the Sisters of St. Francis is 84, and in the last decade, only two women have joined permanently.
There were 35,000 nuns in the U.S. in 2024, 80 percent less than the number in 1965.
Financially, these congregations have been hit with fewer sisters entering religious life, while those that are there live longer and have higher healthcare costs.
The Sisters of St. Francis are partially funded by a foundation, and the sisters receive Social Security and Medicare benefits.
Their work continues. They teach ESL classes, distribute hot meals, work as doctors and nurses, and advocate for clean air and water.
Find out more about the history and the work of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia and about a new documentary on the order in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on MONTCO Today in May 2025.
