The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1900-05-26
MOTHER ANNUNcIATA A vALLIz
ANT WOMAN. !
BY MAURICE FRANCIS EGANi

| % MAURICE FRANCIS EGANf
The student of social life in the En-
tied States generally overlooks the
work done by the members of religious
orders of women. While Lady, Lind
says recent paper, read before the In
ternational Congress of Women is ex-
citing discussion, and why women
have not done more in literature. mus
ical composition, the sciences, etc. ?''
is asked and answered, one finds no
| allusiOn to a vast work which they
have done through the culture of the
CHRISTIAN virtues and the application
of practical common sense to the prob
/ lens of life. This field of their work
might be readily studied here in
tAmerica, where converts, which are
| likewise schools, have not, as a rule,
! been heavily endowed AS an example
the great establishment of the Sisters
! of the Holy Cross at ST. Mary's. neal
the University of Notre Dame, Indiana,
is one of the best. Its growth has been
marvellous. In a beginning that would
have discouraged the stoutest-hearted
materialiSt, d few women determined
to direct the education of the young
according to the principles of the high
est spirituality. Thus st. Mary's Acad-
envy, now the central dwelling of over
gela, of the famous families of Ewing,
Sherman, and Blaine, which have done
so much for the nation, was the found
reSS of the institution. She was sue
ceeded by Mother Augusta, now living
in Washington, as General of the con-
gregation, whom a wise etiquette for
bids me to praise, and the other day
Mother Annunciata, beloved, revered,
passed away.
An, taI ~,
Philadelphia by the Sisters of the Holy
Cross. Even as a little school girl she
must have given evidence of that Won
derful force of character which after
wards distinguished her, for the sanity
Bishop Neumann prophesied that she
would become a religious and die SUI
periOr of her order.
At the age of sixteen she entered the
novitiate of the Sisters of the Holy
Cross at st. Mary's, near South Bend,
Indiana. Soon her unvarying sweet
ness, her merry-hearted, but always
thoughtful kindness, her ingenious
ness, rare simplicity, and humility had
won for her the hearts of all the Sis
terhood, and from those early days
until the sorrowful days of her death
she was the best beloved of all her
community. A few months later, in
1860, she received the holy habit, but |
because of her extreme youth did not |
make her final VOWS until five years |
later.
Then as in passing years she was dis
by her rare sense of JUS |
tice, her zeal for study, her devoted |
ness to the cause of education, and her
reverence for childhood. She had. too, |
the gift of drawing from each of her
pupils the best that was in them.
of American women mourn
her loss and there are few among them
who have not said: "She was my in
spiration and my guide to the noblest
and best 1 have ever attained.
In 1872, though only 2S years of age,
she was chosen to fill the important
office of project of studies at st. Mary's
Academy, Notre Dame, Indiana.
AS directress of st. Mary's Acad-
envy, she gradually raised it in rank
among religious institutions until its
courses led to the degree of B. A; she
showed such ability that in 1885, by the
unanimous vote of the Sisters, she was
made Mother General of the commun-
ty. Her health began to fail, and her
alter years We're years of martyrdom
n the cause of duty. She was cOnsoled
n every way by the love of those
about her, and, though suffering phys
cally, her mind was as clear and
strong as ever. Her exquisite and we'll
rained singing and speaking voice and
Ter sweetness of manner were not inn
paired by i'll health and her ardent
owe and reverence for youth grew as
Ter strength declined. She had a pas
zion for perfection in education and
ife, and, until the day of her death.
Ter soft voice never lost its power of
stimulus and inspiration. She was a
oval friend a wise counsellor, and the
rery heart of truth dwelt in her.