Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement

The Society of the Atonement was founded in 1898 by the Reverend Lewis T. Wattson, an Episcopalian minister, and Lurana White, a novice of the Episcopal Sisters of the Holy Child. The two shared a frustration as they searched for an order that combined Franciscan traditions with a focus on Christian Unity. Together, they established the order in Graymoor, near Garrison, New York. Their early work focused on uniting the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches. In 1909, Wattson (now Father Paul James Wattson) and White (Now Mother Lurana Mary Francis White) converted to Catholicism. The two branches of the Society of the Atonement, the Friars of the Atonement and the Sisters of the Atonement, focused their ministry on promoting Christina Unity. They published magazines, and promoted the Church Unity Octave (later known as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity). The society established missions across the United States, and in foreign countries such as Canada, England, Ireland, Italy, Japan, and Brazil. Mother Lurana passed away in 1935, and Father Paul passed away in 1940. Today, the Society of the Atonement continues to focus on service to communities and promoting Christian Unity. They operate the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute, which promotes dialogue among different faith groups. The Sisters of the Atonement run retreat houses in Graymoor and Washington, D.C., as well as daycare centers in several cities. Many work in parish and diocesan centers, in direct service to the poor and needy.

From the guide to the Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement papers, 1930-2001, 1995-2001, (University of Dayton)

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