Sister Annella Zervas

09/01/2026

We were so touched to learn that over a hundred University of Mary students made a pilgrimage to Sister Annella’s tomb on the 100th anniversary of her death to pray and honor her. 🙏

What a beautiful way to celebrate God’s work in the life and story of Servant of God Annella Zervas, OSB, and through the witness of these students, to ask how God might want to move through her story in our own lives, too. 💙

Head over to the University of Mary page to thank them and cheer on these students as they begin a new school year! 📚✏️🎒

At the University of Mary, we will help you combine your experiences and passions with a degree program that positions you to succeed professionally and personally.

08/20/2026

Since the very beginning of the work to open the cause of canonization for Servant of God Annella Zervas, OSB, the Sister Annella Guild has been incredibly blessed by the support of talented organizations and partners who have helped us share her story and capture so many important moments along the way. 👏

Our primary partner throughout this journey has been Hundredfold Video, and we could not be more grateful for their creativity, dedication, and friendship. ✨ This video offers a beautiful glimpse behind the scenes, as the Hundredfold team shares what it was like to document the extraordinary efforts surrounding the opening of Sister Annella’s cause and the many people and moments that made it possible. 🙏🏻

08/19/2026

We love seeing the story of Sister Annella and the centennial celebrations being shared in Fargo-Moorhead, where Sister Annella grew up, attended school, and died. 🤍👏🙏🏻

Forum columnist Roxane Salonen recounts an August 8 observance for Servant of God Sr. Annella Zervas at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Moorhead. Crookston Diocese Bishop Andrew Cozzens blessed a Zervas family monument there and later presided at a Mass at St. Francis De Sales Church, noting the centennial of her death on August 14, 1926.

Sr. Annella attended St. Joseph's Catholic School in Moorhead through 8th grade before attending Sacred Heart Academy (now Shanley High School) for a year prior to entering religious life as a Benedictine Sister in St. Joseph, Minnesota, where she is buried.

Pictured after the Mass with Sister's image are several of her Shanley alumni relatives (first cousins, once removed): Ann (Hall) Steinhouse '67 and Hugh Hall '58.

Read Roxane's article here:
Salonen: ‘Meeting’ Sister Annella at the Cemetery: https://www.inforum.com/opinion/columns/salonen-meeting-sister-annella-at-the-cemetery

Other Resources:

Sister Annella Guild: https://sisterannella.org/

From Our Backyard: Meet Servant of God Annella Zervas: https://fargodiocese.net/news/from-our-backyard-meet-servant-of-god-annella-zervas

08/15/2026

Sister Annella had a special desire to spend the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary in heaven with Jesus and Mary.

Just a few days before she died, Sister Annella asked Sister Celestine if it would be wrong to ask Our Lord if she might die in time to be in heaven for the feast of the Assumption. Sister Celestine told her it would be all right, as long as she added that it be according to God’s holy will. ✨

Sister Annella told her mother, “It will not be long any more, Mamma.”

She also said to Sister Ignatia, “Just think, Mary, I will be able to speak to Him as I have never spoken before. I will see the Blessed Virgin, and little Raymond too.”

When Sister Ignatia began to cry, Sister Annella told her, “Don’t feel bad.” She also asked her to tell Mamma “not to cry and feel bad, but only to thank God.” 🙏🏽

At 3:15 a.m. on August 14, 1926, the Vigil of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sister Annella peacefully breathed her last.

She had hoped, God willing, to be in heaven for Our Lady’s feast. And Our Lord favorably answered her prayer.

Read more about Sister Annella’s life 👇🏻https://sisterannella.org/the-official-biography/

08/14/2026

08/14/2026

This time last week, we were preparing for the Sister Annella Guild’s Centennial Celebration honoring the life of Servant of God Annella Zervas, OSB.

Today marks 100 years since her death. 🤍

✦ 100 years of looking to her example of heroic love.
✦ 100 years of courageous individuals keeping her story alive.
✦ 100 years of God continuing to work through the “yes” she gave Him during her 26 years of life.

As we enter into this special day, we give thanks for the countless people who have carried her story forward and shared her witness. Above all, we give thanks to God for the gift of Sister Annella’s life and for the ways He continues to work through her story in our very own stories today. 🙏

✨ See the highlights from the Centennial Celebration and watch Bishop Cozzens's homily here: https://youtu.be/vnr9_ci7VSA

08/13/2026

We are in the midst of a very important week for the Cause of Servant of God Annella Zervas, OSB. Tomorrow marks 100 years since her death! 🙏🏽

This past week, the Sister Annella Guild gathered to commemorate this historic Centennial. As part of the celebration, we erected and dedicated a new monument at the Zervas family tomb, a lasting tribute to Sister Annella and the family in which her remarkable story began.

Now, you can bring a piece of this special anniversary into your own home with the Centennial Collector’s Set! 🎉

Created to commemorate the Centennial of Sister Annella’s death and continue telling her story for generations to come, the set includes:

✨A framed image featuring the Zervas family and the newly erected Zervas monument
✨ A devotional candle
✨ A special Centennial mug

At the Sister Annella Guild, we believe God wants to do something through her story for your story. Sister Annella’s heroic love and complete trust in God continue to invite each of us into a deeper love of Christ and His Church.

As we mark 100 years since her death, may these commemorative pieces keep Sister Annella’s story alive!

Get your Centennial Collector’s Set and remember this historic anniversary for years to come ➡️ https://bit.ly/3S5REeq

08/11/2026

This past Saturday, we gathered for the Sister Annella Guild centennial celebration, marking 100 years since the death of Servant of God Annella Zervas and a century of sharing her story.

We honored those who have carried Sister Annella’s story through the generations and reflected on the ways her witness continues to draw the faithful to Christ. ✨

A special moment of the evening was the debut of the first short version of the Sister Annella Guild's documentary on the life of Sister Annella and the cause for canonization, created in partnership with Hundredfold Video.

Thank you to all who were able to join us for this special evening. For those who were unable to attend, we are also very grateful for your prayers and continued support.

As we look to the next 100 years, we are grateful for all who have helped carry her story forward and for the opportunity to continue sharing it with others. 🙏

This short documentary shares the life and witness of Servant of Go...

08/04/2026

This morning, our incredible volunteers braved the summer sun to prepare the Zervas family graves for this Saturday's Centennial Celebration honoring the 100th anniversary of the death of Servant of God Annella Zervas, OSB.

Their dedication is helping create a beautiful and prayerful place to remember the family who first shared Sister Annella's remarkable story.

We hope you will join us for this special day of prayer, remembrance, and celebration as we honor her story and pray for her Cause for Canonization.

Learn more and register at: https://sisterannella.org/centennial-celebration-day/

07/20/2026

Sister Annella Zervas once walked the halls of St. Joseph's School, and we're honored to have this beautiful portrait as a reminder of her legacy of faith, service, and Catholic education.

As her cause for canonization continues, we invite you to learn more about her inspiring life and join the Centennial Celebration on Saturday, August 8: https://sisterannella.org/centennial-celebration-day/