2025 Pilgrimage to Poland
In April and May pilgrims followed the footsteps of the founder of the Felician Sisters, Blessed Mary Angela in Warsaw and Krakow, Poland. Learn about the “In the Footprints of Blessed Mary Angela” pilgrimage and watch the webinar describing the various sites here.
Felician University’s Blessed Mary Angela Institute presents play reading of new work titled The Unbound Mind
On October 19 Felician University’s Little Theatre was the site of the premiere play reading of a new work by Rutherford physician and software developer, Dr. S. Vincent Grasso. Sponsored by Felician’s Blessed Mary Angela Institute of Contemplation, Action and Transformation, The Unbound Mind explores the potential of using artificial intelligence in end-of-life care. Based on a conversation between a 91 year old father diagnosed with terminal cancer and his AI visionary physician son, the play deals with philosophical questions of mortality and the boundaries between AI and human connection. Through the contrast between human and machine minds, the play delves into what constitutes consciousness and how faith can be a part of that belief system. The dialogue also touches on a critical issue: the importance of expanding the workforce to help people within their end-of-life stages.
The playwright contends that as a purely human workforce cannot possibly meet this growing need. Only a hybrid human digital (AI) workforce can. The dialogue aims to demonstrate that even in the face of death, there is an opportunity for continued conversation and personal growth, uniquely afforded by AI.
The Art and Act of Compassion: From Creativity to Community
On October 22, 2025 the Blessed Mary Angela Institute and the School of Arts & Sciences co-sponsored a zoom presentation titled, “The Art and Act of Compassion: From Creativity to Community.” The featured speakers were Talena Lachelle Queen, Activist and Poet Laureate of Paterson, and Founder of the Paterson Poetry Festival and of Word Seed, Inc. and Sister Mary Antonelle Chunka, Felician Franciscan Sister, faith minister currently working with incarcerated women in prisons, detention centers, and rehabilitation centers.This was an illuminating session focusing on the idea of compassion as both an inner disposition and an active force for transformation. The presentation explored how poetry and prison ministry reveal the power of compassion to bridge divides, restore dignity, and build community. Watch here.
Former Vatican Official discusses the process of canonization and Blessed Mary Angela
Celebrating the Felician Sisters’ 150th anniversary of coming to North America, the Blessed Mary Angela Institute presented “The Canonization of Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska, Founder of the Felician Sisters” by Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Sarno on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 7 p.m. in the Breslin Auditorium, Felician University, 262 South Main St., Lodi, NJ.
Msgr. Robert J. Sarno worked for 38 years in the Congregation for the Causes of Saints at the Vatican in Rome. He was involved in the process of evaluating the cases of people proposed for beatification and canonization, including the criteria for purported miracles done through their intercession. He will speak about the beatification of Blessed Mary Angela and what needs to take place for her canonization as saint.
Msgr. Sarno has spoken to various audiences across the globe to great acclaim. Click here for a video link to his lecture.
Click here to see a slide show on Blessed Mary Angela’s life.
Contact
Dr. Mara Zukowski
Director
zukowskim@felician.edu
732-991-1459