Maryknoll Affiliates

IHM Sisters Gerard, Domitilla and Stanislaus pictured with some of the Teresians. Mollie (Mary Joseph) is on right in the back row.Mollie's Trip to Europe

Among the Teresians' friends was a well-to-do fashion designer, Julia Ward, whose name frequently appeared on New York theater programs and whose clients included such popular stars as the actress Maude Adams. Julia greatly admired Mollie, and she helped the Teresians with generous gifts. She wanted Mollie to accompany her on a trip to Europe in July 1914, and Fr. Walsh, who saw how hard Mollie worked, thought it would be a good change for her.

When the invitation was extended, Mollie found herself faced with a solid front of approval and a formal resolution insisting that she accept, signed by the Teresians and Fr. Walsh, and approved by Cardinal Farley!

They arrived in France less than a month after the murder of the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, Archduke Ferdinand and his wife Sophie by a Serbian Nationalist. Unaware that the assassinations would spark an international war, the women journeyed with other pilgrims to Lourdes. A few days after their arrival, they heard the mayor read mobilization orders for the war with Germany. The women eventually made their way to Italy.

By the time they reached Rome, Pope Pius X was dying, and they were present for his funeral and the election of a new pope.

Going with Julia to see a sick friend at the Hospital of the Company of Mary, Mollie went into the chapel. Before the altar a white-veiled, blue-habited novice knelt praying. Presently another novice came forward, the two genuflected together, the first one left the chapel and the second took her place.

Later on, one of the Sisters informed Mollie, "While we are working, someone is always praying for us." "How beautiful," Mollie thought, "if only we too could do something like that." She pictured the chapel and the handful of women in the old farmhouse at home. Not now, maybe later. This desire would confirm also Mollie's conviction that every Maryknoll Sister is called to be a contemplative in mission, as well as eventually having adoration at the Motherhouse and a contemplative community within the Congregation.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters

On May 25, 1914, Fr. James A. Walsh wrote to Mother Germaine, the Mother General of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters in Scranton, PA, asking for Sisters to train the nine laywomen at Maryknoll. He began:

We have here at present nine lay women, ranging in years from nineteen to over forty. They are giving their service gratis to the cause of Foreign Missions. Some are very well-educated, others much less so, but all are intelligent and, during the past two years at Maryknoll have given splendid evidence that they can cooperate unto good.

Father mentioned that Cardinal Farley had visited the Teresians and granted the privilege of daily Mass, then the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament, and later Benediction. His Eminence had also suggested the uniform which they wear. Father ended his letter saying:

I believe that three Sisters will be enough, one to be Superior and Mistress of Novices, another to manage the household affairs (this would include also the Seminary kitchen), and a third to supervise laundry, etc.

We are willing to pay twenty dollars a month, with board, for each Sister and will make the accommodations as comfortable as our space and means permit. Please let me know at your earliest convenience the decision, and may you be directed for God's greater glory. Mary Joseph followed up this letter by going to Scranton to see Bishop Hoban and Mother Germaine.

Arrival of the IHM Sisters

Three Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters, M. Stanislaus, M. Gerard and M. Domitilla, arrived at Maryknoll to begin the Teresians' formalized religious training on September 15, 1914. Mary Joseph was in Europe. Almost immediately the Teresians perceived a difference. A new ordering which they referred to as "convent training" commenced. Mary Louise captured the experience in her diary account with these words:

The Seminary opened its third year with a High Mass in honor of the Holy Spirit, but we did not attend, as Mother Germaine told us we were not to go to services except in our own chapel hereafter. . . . We began to wash dishes in convent fashion, each one attending to her own. Our first attempts were very awkward but the system will certainly save us time when we learn. The Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters began to hope for the end of "The Field Afar." They do not yet know what our monthly mailing means!

Although the Teresians tried to live up to the demanding obligations imposed by the IHM Sisters, the relationship was often strained. The more democratic Teresians found it difficult to accept a situation in which there was no discussion and the superior's command was absolute law.

Meals and recreation were governed by a strict hierarchy, from oldest to youngest. Demeaning penances, such as kissing the superior's feet, were often demanded, as these were the customs in many communities at that time. With the passage of days, the Teresians yearned for Mary Joseph's homecoming from Europe. She had written from Rome about the death of Pope Pius X and the poor conditions in Europe because of the outbreak of World War I.

Mollie Joins the Novitiate

On her return to Maryknoll on October 2, 1914, Mollie found the three Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters already at Maryknoll. The Teresians were making a month-old effort to acquire the sedate ways and virtues that were considered proper to novices. During the first month they had all gone through a period of discouragement. After having been given two days to talk about her trip to Europe, Mary Joseph then became a novice in training with the other Teresians. She joined them in all the novitiate exercises, listened to the instructions that began each day, adopted all the practices suggested, carried out the penances, observed the unaccustomed old-world formalities between subject and superior. With Mary Joseph present, the new yoke seemed to lie more lightly on them all.

Consideration of Religious Orders

As the year 1915 came and went and the formal religious training with the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters moved into its second year, the Teresians began a consideration of religious orders. Their experience up to now taught them their need for a religious rule which offered a degree of flexibility. Very early in 1912, Father John T. McNicholas, O.P., had suggested to Father Walsh the Dominican Rule for the women.

It would have been premature at that time, but it was now apropos for Mary Joseph, Sr. Stanislaus, IHM, and Fr. Walsh to give this idea some serious thought. Mary Joseph wrote a request to Fr. McNicholas for a "copy of the Dominican Third Order Rules." She also made a similar request to the Carmelites and to the Franciscans.

Devotion to St. Teresa to Be Kept

Mary Joseph and the Teresians were drawn to the Carmelites because of their growing knowledge and love of Saint Teresa of Avila, their patroness. After Mary Joseph had talked individually with each Teresian about the subject of rules, she obtained an expression of opinion in writing. All approved of the Dominican Rule provided "devotion to Saint Teresa" might be kept. Mary Joseph informed Fr. McNicholas: We have practically decided to take up the Dominican idea and all are willing and happy to accept whatever seems best to Father Walsh who, as you know, is inclined your way. The decision to be Dominican resulted in Father McNicholas, O.P., being appointed by Cardinal John Farley "to take up the organization of the Teresians as a Community of Dominican Tertiaries," with the advice and direction of Father Walsh.

Training by Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters Not Canonical

 It was soon discovered by Fr. Mc Nicholas that the religious training of the Teresians by the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters was "not canonical." Father came to Maryknoll on March 7, 1916. He first explained to the Teresians that: According to a recent decree, permission to start any religious congregation must come from Rome, a fact to which Cardinal Farley did not advert and which even the Apostolic Delegate did not appreciate.

This meant that technically the "eighteen months' novitiate" did not count but would be "invaluable" as well as a help in "whatever supplementary training" might be necessary. Fr. McNicholas then went over the obligations of Dominican Tertiaries and enrolled the Teresians in the scapular – not as a body but as individuals. So, despite the setback in one direction, the Teresians had moved another step in the decision-making toward religious life.

The IHM Sisters Leave

On June 30, 1916, a farewell supper was held for the IHM Sisters. The refectory was decorated with Chinese lanterns. Fr. Walsh was invited and expressed pleasure in being with the group. He thanked the IHM Sisters for their example of labor and humility and having a strong faith in God. The next morning the Sisters made an early start for Scranton. A new chapter had begun in the life of the Teresians!

The Teresians had decided
to belong to the Dominican Family, because their missionary vocation
was most compatible with the Dominican ideal of contemplation in action
and the flexibility of their Rule.

~ ~ ~

Question for Reflection

As the Teresians lived through many unknowns, how does their witness empower us today?

~ ~ ~

~  ~  ~