Sent to serve through the years

For the Congregation’s first 120 years in Indiana, Sisters of Providence learned of their assignments for the year by hearing the Obedience List read aloud on August 15, the day before sisters began to leave for the assigned missions. In 1961, Mother Rose Angela Horan began a new system where each sister received her appointment by way of a note opened after Morning Prayers on the first Sunday in May.

Sister Rosemary Borntrager (then Sister Rose Cecile) kept the original obedience note that she received on May 7, 1961. You can see that she was asked to be particularly obedient that year — she was originally assigned to teach Grade 4 in Indianapolis, but by July was switched to teaching Grade 7 in Washington, D.C.

More historical photos of Sisters of Providence leaving for mission can be seen below.

(Originally published in the Fall 2013 issue of HOPE magazine.)

In this undated photo, Sisters of Providence leave campus to go out on Mission.

In this undated photo, Sisters of Providence leave for missions via the Saint Mary’s train station.

Many Sisters of Providence left for mission via the Saint Mary’s train station, which was right across the street from the main Saint Mary-of-the-Woods gate. Here Sisters of Providence leave for their missions on August 17, 1940

Many Sisters of Providence left for mission via the Saint Mary’s train station, which was right across the street from the main Saint Mary-of-the-Woods gate. Here Sisters of Providence leave for their missions on August 17, 1940

Many Sisters of Providence left for mission via the Saint Mary’s train station, which was right across the street from the main Saint Mary-of-the-Woods gate. Here Sisters of Providence leave for their missions on August 17, 1940

Aug. 16, 1956, 6:30 a.m. Outside of the Express Hall area at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, sisters say goodbye to those about to board buses for Chicago.

This obedience note was given to Sister Rosemary Borntrager (then Sister Rose Cecile) on May 7, 1941. This was the first year that sisters received their assignments via note instead of hearing the Obedience List read aloud.

These records show the sisters assigned to the very first mission the Sisters of Providence accepted in Jasper, Indiana.

This record from the Sisters of Providence Archives shows Sisters assigned to minister in Boston in the years 1894, 1895, 1896 and 1897.

Sisters assigned to minister at St. Angela school in Chicago for 1931 and 1932.

The Obedience lists for St. Ambrose School in Hollywood, Calif., from 1935-1944.