History and Heritage

Villa Maria College was founded in the Franciscan spirit by Mother Mary Annette Guzowski and the Felician Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary province in 1960. The College, initially a teacher-training center for sisters in the education apostolate, was established as an affiliate of the Catholic University of America. A provisional charter was secured in 1961 from the Board of Regents of the State of New York to grant Associate in Arts (A.A.) and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees to women religious. The College is a member of the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities at franciscancollegesuniversities.org 

The timeline below represents just some of our many milestones over the last 50 years:

1965 - A charter was extended to include lay women who wished to pursue an Associate's degree

1968 - The college was granted an Absolute Charter and was recognized as a co-educational institution

1972 - The college becomes fully accredited with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. 

1974 - The Associate in Science (A.S.) degree is added.

2005 - The Absolute Charter is amended to offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Interior Design.

2008 - New baccalaureate degree programs are added in animation, fashion design and merchandising, music and music industry and our accreditation is reaffirmed by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

2009 - The College continues to research and develop new baccalaureate programs for its students.

2010 - Villa Maria College prepares to celebrate 50 years of providing quality education.


Religious Heritage

The Felician Sisters

The Felician Sisters began as a community in 1855 in Poland under Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska. They are a religious institute of pontifical right whose members profess public vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience and follow the evangelical way of life in common as initially set forth by Saint Francis of Assisi. The aim of the community is to cooperate with Christ in the spiritual renewal of the world by providing education, social service, and health care to the poor and needy. In 1874, five Felician Sisters arrived in the United States and settled in Polonia, Wisconsin. There, they staffed a parish school. The community continued to grow and in 1881 the sisters were sent to Buffalo, New York where they ministered at Saint Stanislaus parish. In 1900, Buffalo became the second province to be established in this country, known as the province of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The sisters moved throughout the Diocese of Buffalo and beyond, staffing many schools, institutions and parishes. Today there are nearly 2,000 sisters worldwide.

Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska (1825-1899)

Sophia Camille Truszkowska was born in Kalisz, Poland into a noble family.  She benefited from the cultural and educational opportunities that were available at that time. Her parents were very devout and instilled in her the virtues of piety, social justice, and charity. She joined the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and became a lay member of the Franciscan Third Order. She, along with her cousin Clothilde, worked among the sick and destitute of Warsaw and founded the Institute of Sophia Truszkowska. On November 21,1855, the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary and before an icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Sophia, who took the name of Mary Angela along with her cousin, solemnly dedicated themselves to do the will of Jesus Christ in all things. The community became known as the Felician Sisters, or more formally the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Felix of Cantalice, Third Order Regular of Saint Francis. Mary Angela would lead this innovative and growing community until 1869, living the remaining years of her life in humble prayer and service to the community that she so loved. She was beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 18, 1993 and given the title Blessed. To learn more about Blessed Mary Angela and the Felician Sisters visit feliciansisters.org

Saint Francis of Assisi (1194-1253)

Francis was born into a family of well-to-do cloth merchants in Assisi, Italy. He led the life of a frolicking youth, indulging himself at parties and reveling with friends. Serious illness led Francis to reevaluate his life and his priorities. A dramatic conversion followed when he experienced the crucified Christ calling out to him in the dilapidated chapel of San Damiano to “rebuild his church.” Francis not only followed this call literally but also, figuratively. He renounced his life of wealth and priviledge and reached out to the poor and outcasts of his world. He embraced the leper and distributed his wealth among the needy. While reviled by many, Francis nonetheless led a life of prayer, simplicity, poverty, joy and service to those in need.  He celebrated the beauty of creation and reached out to all living creatures. Despite frequent illnesses and chronic pain, Francis was undeterred in his efforts to praise God.  He lived a radical life in total imitation of Jesus Christ. He attracted many followers and eventually wrote a rule of life to guide this new movement in the Church aimed at living the Gospel fully and completely.  To learn more about the life of Saint Francis visit americancatholic.org

Prayer of Saint Francis 

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
And where there is sadness, joy.
Lord, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.