Franciscan Sisters are religious communities and congregations for women that emerged from the members of the Third Order of Saint Francis. They are also referred to as Tertiaries or "regulated third order." The Franciscan Sisters live according to the active life with an apostolate in the field of caring for the needy, the weak, the sick, and the elderly, as well as in the areas of education and the proclamation of the Gospel.

In the 19th century, after the end of the Kulturkampf (cultural struggle), there was a significant growth of new socially and charitably active women's communities. These groups were often drawn to the ideals of Saint Francis and aligned their statutes with the Franciscan Third Order Rule. For the first time, a new type of religious sister emerged here: While religious sisters had previously lived predominantly contemplative lives within the confines of their cloisters, these new religious women ventured out into the world to alleviate the suffering and needs of people through social engagement.

	1844	Along with two other women, Maria Katharina Wiethoff from Altschermbeck takes on nursing duties in a house belonging to the rope maker Ridder "Im Kühl." Under the name "Merciful Sisters," they establish a conventual community in 1849.
	1850	The sisters join the Third Order of Franciscan Sisters in 1850. Two years later, the Bishop of Münster places the young community in Dorsten under the Franciscan Sisters at St. Mauritz near Münster.
Statutes of the Hospital for Patient Care	1854	With the establishment of the "Hospital of St. Elizabeth" the Franciscan Sisters from St. Mauritz take on the care of the patients and the household service.
Hospital chapel	1882 - 1923	During the 41-year tenure of Mother Neophyta as the head nun, significant advancements are made in patient care at the Dorsten Hospital. By 1921, the convent consists of 29 sisters. Since 1898, the Franciscan Sisters have had their own chapel within the hospital premises for fulfilling their religious duties, which is also accessible to the hospital's patients.
	1914 -1918	During World War I, the Franciscan Sisters also care for wounded soldiers and prisoners of war. In the war year 1917, they attend to 2,089 individuals.
	Jahr	Sister Marianne Kamlage, Provincial Councilor from the Motherhouse Münster-St. Mauritz, unveiled the historical marker together with Ursula Ansorge.
Die Bekennende Kirche wendet sich offen gegen den Totalitätsanspruch des NS-Staates.	1934
	1939 1945
In England geht die erste Atomuhr in Betrieb. Abschluss der Krankenpflegeschule	1955
	1989
Abschied aus Dorsten	2021