Name/Title
Vocations from the SaultEntry/Object ID
SM.0142Description
Sisters from the Sault gathered near Loretto Convent located at 377 Maple Street in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. In the top row, from left to right, are Sister Rita (St. David) Jacques, Sister Mary (St. Aedan) Porter, Sister Marion (de Chantal) Willis, Sister Agnes (Catalda) Labelle, Sister Kathleen (Leona) O'Donnell, Sister Corona Sullivan and Sister Ruby (Eleanor) Adatte. In the Second row, from left to right, are Sister Irene (Pierre) Howell, Sister Suzanna (Magdalena) Savoie, Sister Helen (St. Norbert) LaLonde, Sister Clarice Krol, Sister Helen (Cyrille) Shipman and Sister Margaret (Susanne) Simpkin. In the bottom row, from left to right, are Sister Mary (St. Patrick) Simpkin, Sister Lucy (Philip) Romano, Sister Mary (St. Alfred) Guillard and Sister Merel (Frances Cabrini) DeMott. Completed in 1956, the building remained with the IBVM until 1985. Previously, the convent was housed in Loretto Academy at 377 Armory Place.
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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Notes
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