In this Jubilee year of 2025, we are approaching the Jubilee for artists that will take place on February 16 – 18. This time will be a celebration that honors artists and their work. Unbeknownst to me, as I began searching for an idea for a blog post, I ended up uncovering an artist in Maryknoll Sister Mary Eustace Kenzel. With the artists’ Jubilee in mind, what a perfect time to celebrate Sr. M. Eustace Kenzel and a few of her artistic endeavors!
She was born Ada Virginia Kenzel on March 15, 1895 in New York City. Once fifteen, she began studying dressmaking, designing, and household arts with the hopes of becoming a professional designer. However, God had His “design” for Ada, and she entered Maryknoll on February 1, 1921. She was professed April 9, 1923. Her biography notes that for many years she conducted a department of ceramic art and metal craft as one of the revenue producing works of the Congregation. [Kenzel biography, Maryknoll Mission Archives website]
The way I first was introduced to Sr. M. Eustace was through the 1925 Maryknoll Distaff in a small entry written about the electroplating department:
“Electroplating Dept.
Though Sr. Eustace’s department embraced much more than electroplating, that was the name by which it came to be known. Besides electroplating sacred vessels, Sister’s output included ceramics, leaded stained glass windows, jewelry and various types of metal works. The creation which gave her the greatest satisfaction was the making of an episcopal ring for Msgr. James E. Walsh, recently named Prefect Apostolic of Kongmoon Prefecture. After admiring this ring, we were anxious to see more of Sister’s workmanship. That desire was well satisfied when we were shown Monsignor’s exquisite pectoral cross and chain.”
For those curious, electroplating “is the process of plating one metal onto another by hydrolysis, most commonly for decorative purposes or to prevent corrosion of a metal” (LibreTexts: Chemistry).
After finding this article in the Maryknoll Distaff, I wondered if the diary the Maryknoll Sisters kept at the Motherhouse might mention anything else about the episcopal ring Sr. Eustace made for Msgr. James E. Walsh. In doing so I found mention of not only the ring, but discovered she also created a pectoral cross for him.
“FEB. 20
A fine piece of workmanship in the jewelry line – an Episcopal ring for Maryknoll’s Prefect Apostolic in China, Msgr. James Edward Walsh, and made by Sister Mary Eustace, was exhibited today.”
~Motherhouse Diary, February 1925
“MARCH 3
The Pectoral Cross and chain made by Sister Mary Eustace for Msgr. Walsh was shown to us today. The cross is beautifully designed in gold and set with a diamond and four amethysts. The chain is ornamented with fringed gold tassels.”
~Motherhouse Diary, March 1925
Continuing to follow the trail, I wondered if perhaps Msgr. James E. Walsh might have mentioned these gifts from the Sisters in a letter, and was excited to come across this letter from October 25, 1925 that he wrote to Mother Mary Joseph Rogers, Foundress of the Maryknoll Sisters:
“October 25, 1925
Dear Mother Mary Joseph –
I only just got your note about the ring and cross that Fr. McGinn brought. Pardon the delay please – things have been so upset in China – and all of us quite disorganized. Thanks a thousand times for such lovely gifts from the Sisters – I will certainly prize them tenfold for that association and I think it is lovely of you all to think about a poor old missionary like myself. Indeed I owe the Sisters – both here and at home – far more than I can ever repay already – Yet nothing could please me more than a rememberance from them[.]”
While searching through the 1925 Motherhouse diaries for more about the ring, I came across another project Sr. M. Eustace completed for the chapel at Bethany:
“SEPTEMBER 24
The stained glass windows which Sr. M. Eustace has been making for the Chapel at Bethany were finished and put in today. They are very beautiful and were so well done; that they were ‘made at Maryknoll’ makes us justly proud.”
~Motherhouse Diary, September 1925
Sr. M. Eustace created many beautiful works of art during her lifetime. In a list I found, metal work, art, dressmaking, sewing, and cooking are all listed among her talents. While at Maryknoll, she worked in the Art room, and belonged to the Arts & Crafts and Mission Arts departments. Her skills were drawn upon again in the winter of 1927, when a stained glass window was to be crafted for the Seminary library as a Christmas gift for Fr. James A. Walsh, co-founder of Maryknoll.
“CHRISTMAS DAY, 1927
THE weather was very cold but clear! We proceeded to the Seminary for Midnight Mass which was sublime. We felt as though the blessings of Christmas were flowing copiously. We stayed for Matins and then Fr. Superior greeted each Sister individually as we came through the corridor. At the end of the corridor was our Christmas gift – a window for the library made by Sr. Eustace, standing on an easel with a light in back to reflect the many colors and bring the design in display. Father was delighted with it. It really is very beautiful and a work of art. The different colors of glass, showing the sky, water, sun, then scenes representing China, Korea, and a boat. The Holy Spirit and the Coat of Arms signifying the home land. It is hard to describe. Perhaps a picture will be taken of it that may be printed sometime.”
~Motherhouse Diary, December 1927
“Recently the Sisters presented to the Maryknoll Superior a stained glass window which they had designed and made. The window shows the Holy Ghost represented by a dove, from which the rays of the Light of Truth radiate upon a Chinese landscape. In the center of the window is the Maryknoll coat of arms.”
~The Field Afar, April 1928, p. 101
