Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, so that he who gives himself totally to you may receive you totally.
-St Francis
Our Congregation (founded 1911 by Mary Patrick Brennan) inherits the charism of Saint Francis Assisi. The FMSL aim to make GOSPEL LIVING a simple reality. Franciscan life is lived in community. It involves praying, sharing and working together in sisterhood for the spread of God’s Kingdom in and through the Church.
The Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Littlehampton is a Congregation of Diocesan right, following the Rule of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis. We live in accordance with our Constitutions and make public profession of the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.
Due to the risk of COVID 19 to our elderly and vulnerable residents, St Joseph’s Convent and Chapel are not able to open to the public until further notice.
Holy Mass is livestreamed daily at 10.30am via YouTube. In YouTube, search for St Joseph’s Convent Littlehampton
You are most welcome to email prayer requests to us at [email protected]
Your intentions will then be remembered in the community’s daily prayers.
From 29th September to 4th October 2025, the FMSL held our General Chapter meeting in St Joseph’s Convent, Littlehampton. Six of the Sisters from our India Community had travelled to be present in person and five more joined online by video call. Sister Helen Costigane SHCJ was the Facilitator. Rev. Fr. Sebastian Payappilly, was also present online as an official Observer for all the discussions relating to India. Each day of the Chapter began with a morning meditation in St Joseph’s Convent chapel. The Sisters then processed into the Chapter Room to begin the business of the day.
Bishop Richard Moth came to celebrate the final Mass of the Chapter on 4th October for the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. He announced his appointments of the new Mother General and Council. Mother General, Sister Elizabeth Morris; Assistant General, Sister Clare Bowers and Council members Sisters Anne McLaughlin and Clare Bernadette. Bishp Richard presented Sister Elizabeth with the keys and seal of the FMSL Congregation and the mandate from the General Chapter.
Please pray for the new Mother General and Council as they strive to carry out the mandate of decisions taken by the General Chapter over the next three years.
On 7th November, 2022, Sister Deepa Thomas from our community in Mysore, India, made her Final Profession of vows in St Joseph’s Convent chapel. This took place during a votive Mass of the Holy Spirit celebrated by Fr. Stephen Ortiger OSB on the first day of our General Chapter. The Mass was also livestreamed on St. Joseph’s Convent Littlehampton channel on Youtube. Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4O4IIV0DAdU
We thank God for Sr Deepa’s vocation and for this opportunity to celebrate her life’s consecration to God.
We thank God that Sisters Innocentia Uwakwe and Attracta Uba made their final profession of vows on 15th August 2020 during Mass celebrated by the Right Reverend Richard Moth, Bishop of Arundel and Brighton. Congratulations Sisters!
Congratulations to Sister Rose of Lima FMSL on her Final Profession of vows September 8th 2017.
A prayer group for Knock Parish meets every Friday in our Convent, St Mary of the Angels, to reflect on the scripture readings for the coming Sunday’s Mass. These weekly reflections are shared as videos.
To see each week’s video, subscribe to the YouTube channel called:
Knock Scripture Group
This Scripture group began to meet at Knock Shrine in 2016, after Sr Anastasia moved into the Parish. It has continued throughout the pandemic to meet weekly at the Franciscan Convent, using video and other media technologies.
From 29th July to 3rd August 2024, the FMSL held the second part of our General Chapter, concerning all aspects of our mission in India. Three Sisters from our Indian Community: Sisters Promodini, Martha and Deepa, travelled to attend the Chapter in St Joseph’s Littlehampton. Father Sebastian Payyappilly CMI was also invited to come from India as an official Observer. Fr. Sebastian celebrated the daily Masses during the Chapter week in St Joseph’s chapel. Sr Helen Costigane SHCJ was the Facilitator, as for the previous Chapter in 2022.
Seven Temporary Professed Sisters attended the Chapter sessions online by video call from Mysore: Sisters Manju, Fatima, Sathya, Sujatha, Monica Riyona and Jyotsna.
Our Sisters Anastasia and Benignus in Knock, Ireland were also present for some sessions.
Decisions arising from the week’s discussions will be actioned by the General Council together with the Indian community over the coming months. We welcome your prayers to join with ours that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide us as we journey into the future together with our Franciscan community in India.