Name/Title
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan BridgeEntry/Object ID
SM.0149Description
Sisters gathered to celebrate the completion of the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge connecting the United States and Canada. Present, from left to right, are Sister Ruby (Eleanor) Adatte, Sister Felician Bell, Sister Rita (St. David) Jacques, Sister Jane (Mary James) Siciliano, Sister Sara (Cecile) Manion, Sister Mary Elizabeth (Benita) Bannon, Sister Eugenia Ell, Sister Anna (Ancilla) Dwyer, Sister Marion (Philomena) Murphy, Sister Deborah (St. Thomas More) Arment, Sister Mary (Bernarda) McNellis, Sister Helen (St. Arthur) Hill, Sister Blanche (Rebecca) Guillard, Sister Bernice Sweeney, Sister Lucille (Jane Frances) DuCharme and Sister Lucy (Philip) Romano. A Dominican Sister, Anne Veronica, is near the center. This image was taken eighteen days before the bridge was officially opened to the public.
In 1896, IBVM Sisters traveled to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to begin an education ministry at St. Mary's Parish. Three years later, Loretto Academy was constructed and opened as a convent, school and boarding house. In the following decades, the Sister's ministry grew to include additional schools and programs. Despite the closure of Loretto Catholic Central High School and St. Mary's Elementary School in 1971, the IBVM maintained an active role in local education into the 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.Made/Created
Studio
Materna StudioDate made
Oct 13, 1962Lexicon
Search Terms
Religion, Religious Organizations, Sisters of Loretto, Photos, Pictures, Photographs , Historic Sites, People, Transportation , VehiclesReproductions
Notes
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