100 Years of Praise

1919 – October 2 – 2019

The founding sisters in 1919, on the front steps of the first monastery. Two lay sisters are missing from the picture.

Today, on the feast of the Guardian Angels, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of our monastery. One hundred years ago today, on that October 2 in 1919, the group of fourteen founding sisters left their monastery in Union City (then called West Hoboken) and traveled to Summit, taking up residence in a large house recently purchased from a Mr. Ter Meer, at 63 New England Ave. Mother Mary Imelda of Jesus was to be the first prioress of the young community, and her own blood sister accompanied her to the new foundation – Sister Mary Emily of the Infant Jesus.

Our Chronicles describe the day:

The Feast of the Guardian Angels, the second day of the month of the Rosary, had been set as our day of departure from West Hoboken, to found a new Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. So about nine o'clock in the morning this little band of fourteen left the monastery. Those who made up this privileged group, were Reverend Mother Mary Imelda of Jesus, Foundress, Sister Mary Teresa of Jesus, Sister Mary Emily of the Infant Jesus, Sister Mary of the Passion, Sister Mary of Jesus Crucified, Sister Mary Angela Dominic, Sister Mary Veronica, Sister Mary Hyacinth of the Sacred Heart, and Sister Angeline [postulant], choir Sisters; and Sister Mary Lucy of the Rosary, Sister Mary Pius of the Rosary, Sister Mary Patricia of the Trinity, Sister Mary Rita of the Passion, and Sister Mary Alphonsus of the Rosary, lay sisters.

Two of our good benefactors Mr. Conboy and Mrs. Curly together with Sister Mary of Jesus Crucified's cousin, were kind enough, and indeed felt highly favored, to transport us in their automobiles to this our new Monastery. The weather was not fair [pouring rain all day], but we were all happy, especially since we knew that we were carrying out God's plan, we were on our way to do big things for His Honor and glory. Mrs. Curly and Mrs. Fitzgerald accompanied us.

Before leaving the Town of West Hoboken, we paid a visit to the Passionist Monastery, and Reverend Father Dominic the Rector kindly lit up the beautiful edifice, and enrolled us in the newly established Confraternity of the Passion, giving each of us a pretty scapular medal.

When we arrived here safe and sound about eleven o'clock, Mr. Ter Meer the former owner of the property welcomed us very graciously, and we found our new home a charming place.

As it was near noon, we thought it well to prepare a little lunch. We had brought ham sandwiches, pickles, and cake with us, so that it was really only a drink which had to be made. Having erected a temporary table with our large drawing boards and boxes, we sat down on boxes and other conveniences to eat our first meal in our new monastery. It was one of the bed-rooms on the second floor which served as our dining room.

After dinner we filled the mattress slips with straw and as our planks were not ready for use, we arranged sleeping quarters on the floor.

Late in the afternoon Reverend Father Murphy our chaplain paid us a visit, and blessed all the rooms.

Our second meal was taken on the same home-made table, but in our nice little kitchen.

In the evening though very tired, we recited Matins very piously in what is now our refectory, sitting choir to choir observing most of the rubrics. This must have been very pleasing to God as the office sounded so devotional, and all the Sisters appeared so fervent.

Over the course of the coming weeks, we’ll share more about the history of our monastery and our sisters, so stay tuned!