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| Villa Maria Convent, West Chester, PA |
My grandfather (Harold de Sales Leddy)'s aunt on this mother's side was Sister Annie Murray. He took his middle name from her religious name, De Sales. The following information is provided by Tom Wagner who is the son of Florence Barnes, daughter of Samuel Barnes, son of Henry Barnes. Anthony Parone, who is big into the genealogy of the Barnes family.
Annie Murray "entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at Villa Maria Convent, West Chester, PA on May 1, 1879. Annie received the Holy Habit of Religion in West Chester on January 3, 1880 and was given the name, Sister Mary de Sales. She made Profession of First Vows on January 3 1882 in the Chapel of Villa Maria, West Chester.
Although our Community Record Cards usually list the various missions of each of our Sisters this is not true of Sister de Sales. The only other information about Sister is that she died in Villa Maria Convent, West Chester on April 28, 1920 and is buried in the Community plot at St. Agnes Cemetery. May her dear soul rest in the peace and joy that our most loving Lord promised to all good and faithful servants." This quote, although coming from Tom Wagner, looks to be based on an earlier document by a member of the community.
One entry in the Menology says "Mother de Sales and a Sister companion, walking through Wanamaker's furniture department, were confronted with two Immaculate Heart Sisters coming toward them. The companion was not concerned but Mother kept tugging her and finally, wondering at their proximity said, "Sister, I saw these two Sisters before." They then realized that they were looking in a long mirror in the aisle, directly in front of them and enjoyed a good laugh at their own expense." Wanamaker's was where my grandfather's father made his fortunate as a cabinet-maker. So perhaps they were visiting him on this occasion.
Although our Community Record Cards usually list the various missions of each of our Sisters this is not true of Sister de Sales. The only other information about Sister is that she died in Villa Maria Convent, West Chester on April 28, 1920 and is buried in the Community plot at St. Agnes Cemetery. May her dear soul rest in the peace and joy that our most loving Lord promised to all good and faithful servants." This quote, although coming from Tom Wagner, looks to be based on an earlier document by a member of the community.
One entry in the Menology says "Mother de Sales and a Sister companion, walking through Wanamaker's furniture department, were confronted with two Immaculate Heart Sisters coming toward them. The companion was not concerned but Mother kept tugging her and finally, wondering at their proximity said, "Sister, I saw these two Sisters before." They then realized that they were looking in a long mirror in the aisle, directly in front of them and enjoyed a good laugh at their own expense." Wanamaker's was where my grandfather's father made his fortunate as a cabinet-maker. So perhaps they were visiting him on this occasion.
From 1892-1898 she was Mistress/Directress of novices under General Superior, Mother Mary de Chantel (who was General Superior 1886-1904)
Wikipedia provides this information: "Villa Maria Academy is an all-girls Catholic college-preparatory high school located in Malvern, Pennsylvania. The school was formed and carried out by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Growth and development is key to this institution whether it be spiritually or intellectually. It is operated independently and with the blessing of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia.... The foundation of the academy dates to July, 1872. At that time, the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary transferred their motherhouse, novitiate, and boarding school from Reading to West Chester, PA. Occupying the property formerly owned by the Pennsylvania Military Academy, the school flourished in West Chester until 1914, when Villa Maria moved to Immaculata College, which today houses the retired sisters."
In a notice of her death Reading Eagle, May 4, 1920, it is mentioned that at the time of her death she was assistant to the mother superior. The notice says she was formerly of St. Peter's convent "this city." There are listings for a St. Peter's convent in Philadelphia, where she was born.
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Ned Goode, Photographer July 1958 SOUTH FRONT - West Chester Young Ladies Seminary, 300 Maple Avenue, West Chester, Chester County, PA |
Hello, I was wondering if this school was always a girls school. I ask because I have a book from my grandfather that has an "Academy of the Immaculate Heart" sticker that say the book was presented as a "premium awarded". My GF at the time was in the 8th grade, and this sticker is dated June 16, 1913.
ReplyDeleteCan you shed any light on this?