Name/Title
Golden JubileeEntry/Object ID
SM.0146Description
Golden Jubilee celebrating the 50th anniversary of the IBVM in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. A number of sisters are gathered in the convent located at 377 Armory Place, in Loretto Academy. In the top row, from left to right, are Sister Catherine (Mary Myron) Murphy, Sister Margaret (Susanne) Simpkin, Sister Agnes (Kenneth) Sullivan, Sister Virginia (Alice) Whitehead, Sister Margaret (Aileen) O'Connor, Sister Margaret (Marita) Lynch and Sister Rita (St. David) Jacques. In the second row, from left to right, are Sister Grace (Thaddea) McIlvaney, Sister Mildred (St. Mel) McNally, Sister Kathleen (Leona) O'Donnell, Sister Florence (St. Cammilus) Hayes, Sister Mary Ellen Dennehy, Sister Bernice Sweeney, Sister Veronica (Lucia) Altenburg, Sister Adele (Fabian) Beaulieu and Sister Margaret (St. William) Gormaly. In the front row, from left to right, are Sister Alice (Gratia) Dwyer, Sister Ruby (Eleanor) Adatte, Sister Agatha (Priscilla) O'Donnell, Sister Helen (Gervase) McGrogan, Sister Teresa (Avila) Galley, Sister Isabella (Marcella) Armstrong and Sister Cathleen (Thecla) Flynn.
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, People, Celebrations, Historic SitesReproductions
Notes
Please contact the IBVM Archives (archives@ibvm.us) for further information or materials requests.