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General Assembly 2026

Delegates from all of the School Sisters of St. Francis’ worldwide provinces and regions have gathered in Bad Herrenalb, Germany, through March 22 for our congregation’s General Assembly.

Sisters will prayerfully discern the Congregational Direction 2026-2030 and elect the members of the International Leadership Team who will serve a four-year term beginning in July.

Delegates spent the gathering’s opening days sharing reports from our worldwide provinces and regions. The International Leadership Team and Treasurer also shared reports, and a video update from the Office of Mission Advancement was presented. Delegates ended their first week together by reviewing proposals and hearing committee reports.

Delegates will now begin direction setting for the congregation, and then enter into discernment to elect the members of the International Leadership Team.

Sisters in attendance enjoy opportunities for Mass, prayer services, reflection, table discussion, and casual conversation with their sisters from around the world. There was much rejoicing when sisters from our Assisi Province, flying from India, arrived at the retreat center following days of travel delays caused by the war in the Middle East. Meals each day are a wonderful times for sisters to connect with old friends and meet new ones from throughout our worldwide congregation.

We thank Sister Rose Hacker for taking and sharing these photos with us!

Click on the images below for a gallery of large images.

International Leadership Team 2026-2030
New International Leadership Team Elected 

On March 19, the Feast of our patron saint, St. Joseph, the delegates at our 2026 General Assembly welcomed a new International Leadership Team that will guide our congregation for the next four years.

The newly elected International Leadership Team members are:

President—Sister Deborah Fumagalli, from the United States Province. 

First Vice President—Sister Jincy Vilayappilly, from St. Francis Province (North India). 

Second Vice President—Sister Matilde Maravi, from the Latin American Region ULAF (Latin American Union of Franciscans). 

Third Vice President—Sister Ann Celine Alapattukunnel, from Assisi Province (South India). 

The team will work to carry out the new Congregational Direction as we go forward to bring peace into the world.