Regina High School - Tiara Yearbook (Hyattsville, MD)

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24 .S2l'UGJlt .gllmf 6 G Fed!!! Flore Ducharme, foundress of Regina High School, was born on December 19, 1896, in Thornton, Rhode Island. After spending the pri- mary grade years as a boarder in Fall River, she attended the Thornton Public School until the age of four- teen. Signs of a love for Mary were already coming to light, for her joy was to place violets before the statue of her heavenly mother, Mary. At St. Charles School in Provi- dence she followed a business course. Quite tomboyish in her carefree high school days, she would often challenge her friends to a boxing match. In her more serious moments, however, she confided, 1sn,t life empty when you look just for pleasure and fun ?,' At the age of seventeen, she returned to Fall River as a boarder. At the end of that year she exclaimed to her mother, I want to be a Religi- ous more than everf' Flore decided to enter the novitiate. On August 15, 1918, she pronounced temporary vows. Her first mission was Kingsbridge, New York. Her year there was one of physical and moral trial. Not the least to be considered was a prolonged at- tack of eczema. A picture of her growing de- votedness was shown at Fall River where Mother was to labor for twen- ty-one years. While there, she had two special fields of apostolate, teach- ing the eighth grade and directing the Blessed Virgin section of the board- ing school, Jesus-Mary Academy. ln 1934, Mother St. Vincent Ferrer was named Superior. Then be- gan the most fruitful period of her life. During the last fifteen years, Mother energetically moved around to five of her many schools in the American Province, the last being Regina, in Mary's land. During her provincialship, Mother had the idea of establishing Regina is the only school in the province staffed by the Religious of Jesus and Mary with the privilege of weekly exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. Thursday finds the chapel frequented by nuns, novices. postulants and students united to render homage and offer love to the Eucharistic King. -wwe TH! a nucleus of far-reaching activity to the praise of Jesus and Mary. This idea became her most cherished de- sire. Hyattsville became the site of that dream. Mothers illness during those years didnit lessen her faith. She was determined to build a new Provincial House. After many months of struggle, hardships, and prayer. Regina High School was erected. Then, on September 21, the third day of the school year, the news of her death came as a shock. . For Mother Saint Vincent Fer- rer Christ had been the One ldeal. She had always had a smile on her face even in the saddest hours of life. Her motto must have been, Wind loves a cheerful giverf' St. Thomas Aquinas said that love is sacrifice. Our Motheris life of love shall not be forgotten at Regina. which will stand as a monument to her apostolic zeal. She will live on in the heart of each Regina girl. The deceased of the community find their final resting place in the area marked by the cross. Quiet, peace and dignity char- acterize the surroundings of the convent. -37 -, .f.,g.a 2 ,ws- 3:39 it 7

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On September 21, 1956, the first an- niversary of her death, Mother St. Vincent Ferrer, R.,l.M.,, was solemnly brought home for burial in the new- ly-completed convent cemetery. ' -if 1 Q , fs, - ,, 'F f ri' 'r by gfggtihg. ,I ,gal l A --ft if s. - -' f i sa. gf 1, .Liz S Gvrgl i ., . - ' 'sf I aa., 1 il?-5 - S 1. 2, - , 7 vi ,p,,s,'.:-fs rss A N ns! . Q. Bing' W Va' 9 f fi' .1 'ii f r' Hx . M Sai.. 5' ,J 'wwf ,rf f 4 'ei' 'arm' X ,. 1 MOTHER ST. VINCENT FERRER, Religious of .lesus and Mary Founclress of Regina Provincial Superior 1951-1955 Building with sincere and complete trust Law in Divine Providence mf 6 Inspiration throu Although she left this world on September 21, 1956, to join a Divine Spouse in heaven, Mother St. Vincent Ferrer, R.J.M., gave to her Regina girls the realization that even if they had not known her in person, they had still formed an integral part of her work, her plans, and certainly of her prayers. Her one ambition was to see a school completed, a school where girls could be educated physi- cally, mentally, and spirituallyg a h Faith and Love school where Jesus and Mary would reign. She gave her life to fulfill this objective. Yes, her dreams clicl lw- come reality, for here in Hyattsville stands a living proof that the impos- silile can he done. Regina now grad- uates her hrst senior class. These graduates in union with the under- t'l3SSlllt'l1 offer to Mother St. Vincent Ferrer, R.J.lVl., this yearhook, il golden TIARA, as a sign of gratitude and appreciation for her work.

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5 Official construction began on November 11, 1954 when His Excellency, The Most Reverend Patrick O'Boyle, Archbishop of Washington, broke ground at the site of Regina. Also pic- tured is the founrlress, Mother St. Vincent Ferrer, R.J.M. On June 12, 1955, Rev. Mother Maria del Rosario, R.,I.M. and Mother St. Vincent Ferrer, R.,I.M. watch as His Excellency. The Most Reverend Patrick O'Boylf- blesses the cornerstone inscribed with the motto of the Congregation of Jesus Mary. fa l 'I 'Ease' QA inf 8 ,f G, E., .. Rev. Mother Maria del Rosario, R.,I.M., Superioress General, and Mother Saint John of Kent, R.J.M., General Bursar.