Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters create new province for Europe

The Congregation of Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception created a new province for the Europe region during a chapter meeting in Fatima that concluded on October 25, 2026. The new entity is named the Province of the Immaculate Conception.

The province brings together communities from mainland Portugal and Spain as part of a congregational reorganization process. The assembly included 38 sisters from fraternities in these locations.

Sister Helena Maria de Meneses Godinho was elected provincial superior. Sister Salomé Alves Mourão Gonçalves was elected provincial vicar. Sisters Maria Engrácia Teixeira de Oliveira, Maria Antonieta Teixeira da Costa, and Cecília Manuela dos Santos Freitas were appointed as counselors.