With special attention being focused on the vocations lived by men and women religious during the celebration of the 14-month Year of Consecrated Life called for by Pope Francis, Rhode Island Catholic is publishing a series of reflections on religious orders whose members serve in the diocese.
In 1869, Mary Ann Sammon, an Irish immigrant alive with love of God and God’s children, entered a Dominican Convent of German nuns on Second Street in New York City. These Sisters had been invited from the cloister in Ratisbon, Bavaria to New York to open a school for the children of German immigrants.
Unfortunately, many children were wandering the streets, so Sister Mary Ann, would bring these waifs to the convent. The number of children being cared for in several convents in the city increased and a place in the country was sought. In 1878 such a place was found in Blauveltville. Sister Mary Ann was placed in charge of St. Joseph Orphan Home and appointed Superior of the convent. With courage, dedication, and great faith Mother Mary Ann undertook a necessary building program with no assurance of funding. The years were difficult yet rewarding, but a three-year-long epidemic of eye disease took a toll on the Sisters and children. By 1891 a complex of buildings with a model sewage system; homes for children, a chapel, and a school were completed. The Archbishop of New York raised the Convent to the rank of an independent Motherhouse, and the sisters were incorporated as The Asylum of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt, N.Y.
Mother Mary Ann lived another 10 years; her prodigious achievements proved the valor of her virtue. Her great desire to spread God’s love and compassion through the care and education of children was not merely begun but well planted.
As the new century began, requests for teachers arrived from Illinois where two schools were opened. Soon schools in the Bronx, Yonkers, Manhattan, as well as in Rhode Island, Florida and New Jersey were being staffed by the Sisters from Blauvelt. The sisters taught in elementary schools, high schools, and a college; some also ministered to cancer patients, taught the blind, and served as house mothers for orphans in what was then St. Dominic’s Home.
The history of the Blauvelt Sisters in Rhode Island began in 1919 when they responded to the needs of the Dominican Fathers at Providence College. In 1923 St. Raymond School opened with 250 students in grades 1-8. A ninth grade was added 1945 to accommodate the 6-3-3 plan of education which continued for thirty years. In 1976 a kindergarten was added but in 1985 the convent was sold to Miriam Hospital and the last two sisters moved to an apartment. In 1989 St. Raymond School closed.
Close to the grounds of Providence College, St. Pius V School was opened in 1929 with grades 1-5. Each year a grade was added until all eight were available in 1932. Enrollment declined in the ‘80’s, but the ‘90’s brought new life. Pre-K and kindergarten were added and accreditation received. After a period of lay leadership, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecelia, Nashville, Tenn., rekindled the Spirit of St. Dominic. One Dominican Sister from Blauvelt, a former teacher and principal Sister Shirley Jeffcott, continues to volunteer in the school and parish.
Among the many women who inspired students we remember Sister Gabriel Marie Clune who was assigned to St. Raymond in Providence in 1961. Sister ministered in the Diocese of Providence from 1961-1970. She served as Diocesan Administrator of Special Religious Education (SPRED) from 1970-74, before being appointed Assistant Director of the Apostolate of the Handicapped and Director of Ministry for the Deaf, a position that she had until 1999. She pioneered a complete religious education program for Deaf students from pre-school through high school. Her program became the model for ministries to the Deaf throughout the country. Because of her tireless effort, not only did she create a model program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, she also worked to effect mainstreaming in parishes where Deaf students were able to celebrate the Sacraments in their local parish settings.
In addition, under Sister’s direction and guidance, the Diocese of Providence developed the first and only retreat program for equal numbers of Deaf and hearing students. In this effort, she brought Deaf Ministry to a new level of awareness and possibility. She touched the lives of many members of the Deaf community by her energy, kindness, and advocacy. She never saw a deaf person as handicapped, but each person gift from God endowed with the ability to paint words in the air. The program spread from the Diocese of Providence to the state and throughout New England.
Our Dominican motto, to praise, to bless and to preach the Word of God frames our lives of prayer study. common life, and ministry. We emphasize prayer and study, speaking truth to power, living justly and prophetic witness as four dimensions of our mission. We endeavor to proclaim the good news of the compassionate love of God for each person with a special consciousness of and presence to, those who are poor and on the margins of society.
We have committed ourselves to intentionally embrace the future with hope and recognize that God’s design is one that leads us to a greater understanding of the sacredness and oneness of all creation.
