When Bishop Amadeus Rappe, first bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland, invited the Augustinian sisters from his native France to minister here, there was much to do including caring for immigrants, the sick and orphans. He wanted their help to establish a hospital.
Four women – two sisters and two postulants – sailed from Boulogne sur Mer in September 1851, arriving two weeks later, and immediately began their ministry. The Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine also learned English and relied on the Ursuline Sisters, who had arrived the previous year, to temporarily house them and to provide religious training for the postulants.
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Within two weeks, the two professed sisters were living with families in order to better visit the sick and poor in their homes. They became Cleveland’s first public health nurses. In 1865, the sisters established St. Vincent Charity Hospital – Cleveland’s first permanent general hospital – in what now is the Central neighborhood, and where the sisters continue to minister.
On Jan. 24, the CSA Sisters began celebrating their 175th anniversary in the diocese with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Edward Malesic and a lunch at Regina Health Center in Richfield, a faith-based skilled nursing, assisted living and rehabilitation facility located in what previously was their motherhouse. Deacon Mark Yantek, Regina executive director, assisted with the liturgy.
Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA congregational leader, explained the significance of items placed in front of the altar, including a pair of silver candlesticks brought by the first sisters from France, a statue that she and the late Sister Miriam Erb, CSA brought from Boulogne sur Mer, France, the congregation’s handwritten constitution and a memento from their 150th anniversary in 2001.
“It is impossible to put 175 years into one homily,” the bishop said. “Never underestimate the power of a strong woman.”
Their story began humbly, he noted, and their motto, “in omnibus caritas (in all things charity), was never just a slogan. It was a way of life … You went where the need was the greatest, serving with kindness, compassion and faithful service, especially to those on the margins.”
He listed some of their many ministries over the years, including social work, establishing orphanages, hospitals and nursing schools, assisting unwed mothers, Sister Ignatia Gavin’s work with Alcoholics Anonymous and more. Also, two of the early sisters were among the first women to earn state certification as pharmacists.
“You’ve made a difference by loving and serving so many ... touching so many lives,” Bishop Malesic said. And now, as the sisters age and decline in number, he said their associates will help continue their work.
“We are grateful you pointed the way to our God who came not to be served, but to serve. Thank you for showing us where God is … You continue to show the flame of charity that was lit 175 years ago,” he added.
“Our loving and perfect God has carried us … We give thanks to those here today who let us magnify God as Mary did, for he has done many great things,” Sister Karam said.
Click here to learn about the sisters’ ongoing work in the Central neighborhood.