Sisters in Chicago

The Maryknoll Sisters have historically served in 45 countries since their official beginnings in 1912. We frequently discuss their international mission work here on our blog. However, Sisters have also served throughout the United States. Like the Contemplative Sisters, Sisters who worked in the U.S. are not highlighted as often. Their vital work helped to support minority communities and immigrants in navigating their unique struggles.

What does a typical Maryknoll mission in the U.S. look like? Below you can read excerpts of Maryknoll Sister diaries from Chicago, IL. The first set of diary entries comes from the St. Therese Mission, where Sisters ran a school in Chinatown. The second set is from the Rosary House Convent, the Sisters’ local home in mission.

May 29 – After some busy weeks the annual school closing play was held in the basement of Maria Incoronata Church. Nursery through eighth grade participated. Mothers and friends came to see the children so there was a large crowd there. Twenty-four kindergarten youngsters graduated with caps and gown receiving their diplomas from our good friend, Monsignor O’Brien who also gave out awards to the school children and praised and congratulated their parents. Pictures were taken of almost every turn and the grand finale of group pictures of the kindergarten taken outside had most of Chinatown gathered to see what the Catholic church was doing. It was a happy day but we were glad it was over.

May 30 – Memorial day and a parish picnic. After eight-thirty Mass a busload and many private cars started for Starved Rock a State Park. It was a little far but all agreed it was the nicest picnic grounds we had yet visited… The day was all too short and heavy traffic brought us home late…

May 31 – A short visit with Mother and Sisters and then back to regular routine. The Month of May closed with our feeling it had been a month of great blessings for our work and with the welcome but almost frightening thought “School closes in two weeks”.

May 15 – About 100 people filled the convent today for the raffle drawing and tea held by Maryknoll Sisters League. First prize a $100 war bond went to Esther Larkin of Washington, D.C., friend of Sister Jane Marie, second prize of $50 war bond to Katherine Kane, relative of our Sr. Maura Charles in Maui, and third prize of $25 bond to Marguerite Quirk, friend of Sister Francis Leo’s family in Chicago. The smallest tots present did the choosing of names from the ticket stubs to insure [sic] impartiality. About 28 door prizes were also awarded. Sandwiches, cake, cookies, coffee, tea and milk were served to the crowd which included men, women and children. The raffle netted over a thousand dollars profit so it was well worth the work and effort the League and Sisters put into it.

May 22 – Four Sisters covered a collection at St. John Bosco Church in Chicago while two others attended a Communion Breakfast and mission talk at the Flossmor County Club outside the city. Sister Ambrose, superior at Rosemary College, River Forest, arrived to make retreat with us. All house members except Sisters Ivan, Imelda Marie and Rose Maureen are making the retreat to be given at the convent by Father Cuddy, O.P.

May 31 – After a trip to Chinatown to visit the Sisters there, Mother Mary Columba, Sister de Chantal and Sister Coronata, left for the Motherhouse. They were soon replaced by other guests, friends of Maryknoll, including Mrs. Wiedman who has been so gracious to Sister Martina and the others in Guatemala, Fr. Greiner, OFM, from St. Peter’s Church, Chicago, and Father Mack, SVD, provincial of the Divine Word Fathers from Techny, Ill. Father visited with our chaplain, Father Fitagibbons. He has just completed a visitation of his province including the seminary. He is well acquainted with our foreign mission work and most interested in the Maryknoll Sisters although this was his first visit inside a Maryknoll convent.