Sister Barbara Jean Franklin, ASC, celebrated 60 years as a vowed member of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ on September 22, 2026, at Benedictine Living Community at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois. Sister Barbara Jean made her first profession on July 1, 1966, and her final vows on April 2, 1972, both in Ruma, Illinois. She marked her anniversary with a Mass in the chapel at Benedictine Living Community, and was joined in the celebration by sisters, and her family.
Sister Barbara Jean was born in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois, to Clyde and Agnes Franklin. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri in 1969, and her master’s in education administration and Supervision from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois, in 1981. She also earned a master’s degree in Adult Education from Regis College in Denver, Colorado, in 1985.
Sister Barbara Jean served for 17 years in elementary schools as teacher, principal and often as both teacher and principal. In addition to teaching in Vienna, Missouri, she ministered in Olney, Fairview Heights, Smithton and Pinckneyville, all in Illinois. She also served as Associate Director of the Office of Education in the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois.
Her community service included being provincial treasurer for the former Ruma Province, then for both the Ruma and Columbia, Pennsylvania Provinces. After a brief service as provincial councilor, Sr. Barbara Jean was elected in 2000, as the first Regional Leader of the combined provinces of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Ruma, Illinois, and Wichita, Kansas. For several years, Sr. Barbara Jean served as the Property Director of the Ruma Center and the co-director of the U.S. Region’s ministry of vocations. She is also an author and speaker.
She currently lives in a small community in St. Charles, Missouri, and serves as chairperson of Collaborative Governance for the Congregation of the Precious Blood community of sisters in O’Fallon, Missouri, and the St. Louis community of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary.