By Ron P. Coderre

The United States annually celebrates a variety of groups and causes by designating them as National Weeks.  One of the more recently designated and probably little known weeks is National Catholic Sisters Week, which is being celebrated from March 8 through 14.  The week was originally initiated as part of National Women’s History Month.

Created to honor women religious, the mission of NCWS is to enlighten and to bring focus to the lives of these incredible women and recognize them for all they’ve done for society.  Women religious or sisters have been in our country for almost 300 years.  During this time these women have run schools, hospitals and orphanages, while helping to foster a culture of social service that has permeated our society, according to news analyst and author Cokie Roberts.

Today these courageous and devoted women continue to serve God through their diverse ministries of helping people.  While some remain cloistered and live in contemplative prayer, most can be found working on the frontlines of society teaching, caring for the sick, homeless and disadvantaged.  Their purpose is to make the world a better place for others as they fulfill a number of roles in society.

Most people in Putnam and the surrounding region are directly or indirectly familiar with “Sisters” because of the presence of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, who arrived in Connecticut shortly after the start of the 20th century.  Approximately 100 years ago, around 1915, the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, who were then known as Les Filles du Ste. Esprit, arrived in Putnam.

Founded in France more than 300 years ago, these women came to French-speaking communities in America because they had been banned from teaching in schools in their homeland.  They began teaching at St. Mary’s School and eventually opened Putnam Catholic Academy and Annhurst College.  Those institutions were originally all female but later became co-educational schools.  

Though their American headquarters was established in Putnam, when the order purchased the Morse Mansion on 72 Church St., many of the sisters also worked in locations throughout the U.S. and the world.  At the height of their membership, around 1950, there were approximately 500 religious women who were part of the Daughter of the Holy Spirit in the U.S.

Their mission, which encompassed nursing, homecare, service to the disadvantaged and healthcare in addition to education, carried the sisters to locations along the East Coast, throughout New England and New York, and into Alabama and as far west as California.  They also established missions in Africa, South America and Haiti.

Today according to Sr. Gertrude Lanouette, Provincial Leader in the U.S., there are approximately 80 sisters that remain in the U.S. province.  Most of these women are retired and elderly but many continue to carry on the mission despite their declining years.

On a walk through the Provincial House a visitor will encounter learned women, who are welcoming, caring, cheerful, loving and devoted to God through prayer and service.  Their lives have been ones of poverty, chastity and obedience, while living the gospel message.  

Over the years the Daughters of the Holy Spirit and sisters in many orders have witnessed many changes.  Sisters in the past were clad in habits that have evolved over the years.  The sisters have gone from the long dresses and coiffes to the civilian garb that many wear today.  Those who labor in the community usually drive an automobile, something that was unheard of in years gone by.  Some sisters live in apartments in the community as opposed to the former life in the convent.

Despite this evolution there is one thing that’s remained constant in the life of a sister, devotion to God.  This devotion has provided the strength to these religious women to carry out their mission, whether it be teaching youngsters in a far away land, working with individuals addicted to drugs or alcohol or tending to the sick and even to people with HIV.  The women who have heeded the calling to serve God and humanity have not strayed from that mission.

 

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