St Francis Xavier Academy - Xavier Yearbook (Providence, RI)

Page 14 text:

Gentle, strung ani: haliant. MOTHER GENERAL holds a statue, once the possession oi Mother Mary Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy 122 years ago. Among Mother General's souvenirs, too, are reolia from Mercy mis- sions in Belize, Trinidad, and British Guiana. J'-, Vi ee WON'T YOU SIGN your name in our guest book? Mother General invites visi- tors to the General Motherhouse in Bethesda, Maryland. Many Church digni- taries, learned scholars, visiting superiors, Sisters, and lay guests have left this brief record of a delightful visit.

Page 13 text:

I To Uur latroness . . . Mother Mary Bernfmliiio, lt.S.M. Muruen usnuifxi IT IS A DEEPLY appreciated privilege for the Class of i953 to dedicate this edition of THE XAVIER to Mother Mary Bernadine, R.S.M., Mother General ot the Sisters ot Mercy in the United States ot America. As Mother General for twelve years and as Mother Assistant General tor the same length ot time, Mother Mary Bernardine has been actively engaged in administering the affairs of the Generalate since the amalgamation in i929. Since 1941, she has held the highest position, superior general ot 6,000 Religious Sisters ot Mercy, more than halt the entire number of daughters of Mother Mc Auley in this country. Her Sisters have beheld in her a model of spiritual authority, a pattern from the heart of the true Sister ot Mercy, gentle, strong, and valiant . . . Agfa, ,-f'

Page 15 text:

smart X. hr., I x x IAL Aiiiiiiig Mother General was taught by the Sisters of Mercy in Saint Patriclcs Grammar School, Belletontaine, Ohio. Previous to her entrance into the Cincinnati community, she attended classes at Our Lady of Mercy Academy in that city. Her period of novitiate completed, Mother General taught in grammar school for five years and for the same length ot time in Our Lady ot Mercy Academy, previous to her work at Sister's College, Catholic University, Washington. She returned to Cincinnati as Directress of the Academy. FROM THE NUCLEUS that was Mother McAuIey's convent at Baggott Street, Dublin, Ireland, the Institute has grown pro- digiously. Mother General here points out the extent of the Union in this country, I . PROVINQ 5-. I I A-Ai 5 4 . I 0 , . ' n O 5 .9 9 , I . 4 it-N 9 -C ., V . fry it g :xr ' . ' s 9 i s A ' . N I X lx N, ' For nine years there she was so successful as admin- istrator that she was elected Reverend Mother ot the Cincinnati community. During her term ot oftice, she directed the construction ot an addition to Mercy Hospital in Hamilton and of a new academy at West- wood. Her term of oftice had just expired at the time of the amalgamation. She was elected Mother Assistant General on August 28, I929, and Mother General twelve years later. THROUGH HER MOTHERS PROVINCIAL, detailed record keep- ing, and personal visitations, Mother keeps in close contact with her Sisters' work in the core ot the poor, sick, and ignorant. ky