Cor Unum

Cor Unum is One Heart in Latin.

Late in the 19th Century the Dominican Sisters moved from Jacksonville to Springfield and named their new convent on Monroe Street Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in honor of Mary of the mother of Jesus, a young woman who cooperated so well with God's plan that her "yes" changed the world forever.

Nearly 130 years later, the spiritual descendants of those Dominican sisters have been called to accompany 21st Century women on a new path of transformation that is required so urgently today.

To honor the women who had gone ahead of them, they chose Cor Unum—One Heart—to signify their mission to accompany women today who are searching for the deep value of their own lives.

 “Jesus refuses to divide us. He stretches out his arms and offers his life for the life of the world. We are called to do the same.”

In the words of the scientist-theologian Sister Ilia Delio, today’s followers of Jesus and all seekers after Truth are called to “live from the center of the heart where love grows and to reach out to the world with faith, hope, and trust in God’s incarnate presence.”

For Cor Unum women that translates to the desire to connect to the “One heart, one Spirit, one world” created by the love of Christ, the source of all existence.

Join Our Virtual Gatherings

There are three times each month we gather Cor Unum women through Zoom. You are welcome! You do not need to be Catholic to participate. Everyone is welcome.

Cor Unum Sundays

A twice-monthly, one-hour gathering of women in early adulthood who support one another by reading together and sharing our collective wisdom on topics chosen and organized by the participants in the group.

The meetings begin at 8 p.m. Central Time on the first and third Sunday of each month. Register once for each Sunday to receive regular invitations and meeting reminders.

Register for Cor Unum First Sunday gatherings.

Register for Cor Unum Third Sunday gatherings.

Women's Wednesday Scripture Reflection

Once a month we meet virtually on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Central Time to reflect on the scripture readings for the following Sunday's Roman Catholic liturgy. Bring your curiosity and a friend!

Register for Women's Wednesday Scripture Reflection.

Cor Unum House

is the beautifully restored residence of the Cor Unum anchor community. Right now that's Dominican Sisters Mary Clare Fichtner, Lori Kirchman, and Beth Murphy. The house is designed to welcome as many as three women in early adulthood who want an experience of living simply and intentionally in a way that supports their desire for spiritual growth. Learn about a Cor Unum residency here.

Cor Unum Village

is an expanding circle of women in and around Springfield, Ill., who find friendship, purpose, and spiritual depth while enjoying one another's companionship and support. When the time is right, Cor Unum Village events will include in-person opportunities for common meals, prayer, conversation, and service. Right now our time together occurs mostly through phone calls and teleconferences.

Cor Unum Planet

recognizes that in this age of global communication there is no limit to the way women can connect and support one another across distances. We enjoy growing friendships with women across the United States and around the world who expand our vision and enrich our lives.

Cor Unum was born in 2017 from a desire to accompany women in young adulthood who want to deepen their spiritual lives, be of service, and make a difference in the world.

Change of plans

It looked as if we were all set to open the house at one of our old convents on Springfield's North End, when circumstances changed and that plan fell apart.

Let the Spirit Work

That's what we did! It was months of waiting for the perfect solution to appear, and God was working in all of it.

Our first visit to Cor Unum House at 925 N. Fifth Street in the historic Enos Park neighborhood of Springfield was September 17, 2017.

With the help of friends and benefactors who made it possible to save a beautiful historic home, build green, and train unemployed workers in the trades, Cor Unum House rose from the ashes and was occupied by Sisters M. Clare Fichtner, Lori Kirchman and Beth Murphy two years later, on September 11 , 2019.

It's not possible to appreciate the transformation with seeing the before during and after images. Enjoy them here!