Name/Title
IBVM Sisters, Sault Ste. MarieEntry/Object ID
SM.0196Description
IBVM Sisters in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Seated, from left to right, are Sister Mary Elizabeth (Benita) Bannon, Sister Margaret (Aileen) O'Connor, Sister Mary Alice (Therese Martin) Walsh, Sister Mildred Weinberger, Sister Juliette (Florentia) Jacques, Sister Eleanor (Alberta) Holland and Sister Helen (St. Norbert) LaLonde. Standing, from left to right, are Sister Virginia (Alice) Whitehead, Sister Mary Ellen (Roland) Beck, Sister Mary Lou (Paul) Wcislo, Sister Mary (Michel) Cates, Sister Elizabeth (Raphael) Best, Sister Mary (Corona) Quinn, Sister Helen (Cyrille) Shipman and Sister Lucille (Jane Frances) DuCharme.
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.Lexicon
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Religion, Religious Organizations, Sisters of Loretto, Photos, Photographs, Pictures, PeopleReproductions
Notes
Please contact the IBVM Archives (archives@ibvm.us) for further information or materials requests.