Name/Title
IBVM Sisters in CaliforniaEntry/Object ID
SA.0169Description
IBVM Sisters in Sacramento, California. In the back row, from left to right, are Sister Frances (Maria Regina) Bierer, Sister Rita (Francis Joseph) Rzeppa, Sister Mary Alice (Frances Xavier) McCarron, Sister Nancy Lee (del Ray) Waite, Sister Veronka Marton, Sister Patricia (Frances Marie) Godfrey, Sister Grace (Thaddea) McIlvaney, Sister Patricia (Patrice) Mooney, Sister Mary (Roberta) Gormaly, Sister Betty (St. Brian) Rhoads, Sister Margaret (St. William) Gormaly and Sister Marjorie (Edwarda) Allen. In the middle row, from left to right, are Sister Catherine (Perpetua) Hanlon, Sister Dorothy (Wilhelmine) Fromm, Sister Veronica (Lucia) Altenberg, Sister Sister Mary (Laurentia) Loveland, Sister Rita (Francis de Sales) Clarke, Sister Mildred (St. Mel) McNally and Sister Florence (St. Camillus) Hayes. In the front row, from left to right, are Sister Gail (Jane Patrice) McKirchy, Sister Nancy (Rosemarie) Doolin, Sister Mary Ellen (Yolanda) Bracey, Sister Mary Anne (Mary Elaina) Sprengelmeyer and Sister Harriet (Lorraine) Crawford. A handwritten note on the back lists Sister Marion (de Chantal) Willis, Sister Nora (St. Catharine) Lowe and Sister Mary Ellen (Immaculata) O'Meara as "camera shy". The women were from the community at St. Philomene's in Sacramento.
In 1949, IBVM Sisters arrived at St. Philomene's to begin an education ministry at the parish. Over the next four decades, numerous Sisters taught and administered at the school. The IBVM maintained a presence at St. Philomene's until the late 1980s.Context
Born in 1585 in North Yorkshire, England, Mary Ward founded the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1609. Focused on education, the Sisters developed their ministry despite significant political, spiritual and material challenges. In 1880, the Canadian Mission of the IBVM established a presence in Illinois, and the following year, the IBVM North American Branch was created. In 1892, their ministry expanded into Chicago, and by 1896, the Sisters had opened a school in Michigan. Over the following decades, further growth resulted in ministries in California and Arizona, both of which began in 1949. In the 21st Century, the IBVM and its companions are active in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, California and Arizona.Lexicon
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Notes
Please contact the IBVM Archives (archives@ibvm.us) for further information or materials requests.