The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) in Dubuque, Iowa, announces the congregation’s 190th Anniversary on Nov. 1, 2023. This milestone celebrates the mission of the BVM Sisters: to commit to a vowed life of faithfulness to the Lord; faithfulness to one another in community; faithfulness to God’s people, especially the poor.
The story of the BVM Sisters begins with Foundress Mary Frances Clarke and her companions boarding a ship in Dublin, Ireland, in 1833. These were modern women, shaped by the intellectual and political influences of their day even as they bent their lives to shape the world about them. Leaving their families and homeland, they were driven by a vision of a better life for immigrant children through education. As they celebrate 190 years, the Sisters of Charity, BVM are grateful for all the opportunities from Dublin to Dubuque that have taken BVMs around the world.
Choosing education as the initial ministry was a prophetic decision. BVMs were teachers who opened schools that led to a network of Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the country, including two colleges. Throughout history, the majority of BVMs taught in elementary and secondary schools. BVM Sisters staffed more than 300 schools across the United States and in three foreign countries, providing students a quality education, opportunities for development, and Catholic values.
In the 1960s, ministries grew to include healthcare, social services, community advocacy, and parish administration. In accordance with their values, the congregation has taken on corporate stances on nonviolence and immigration reform, and against human trafficking and the death penalty. Their commitment includes joining with others to work for justice and to care for Earth.
As BVMs have retired from active ministry, partnership grants and scholarships for women have been established to ensure the BVM legacy will continue through organizations that hold similar values. Endowed scholarships have also been established in every U.S. diocese in which BVMs have ministered.
BVMs continue to honor the core values of freedom, education, charity, and justice. BVM President LaDonna Manternach shares, “BVM shoes have left footprints around the world for ministry, study, and travel experiences . . . Today, ‘in the spirit of charity,’ virtual BVM footprints are being established via Zoom meetings, grant funding, scholarships, and gifts to organizations that send aid across the world . . . thank God for all the gifts we have received: from Dublin to Dubuque, and around the world.”
Since the beginning, nearly 5,000 women have followed in the footsteps of Mary Frances Clarke. Like many religious congregations today, the BVMs face new challenges. Currently there are more than 200 sisters with an average age of 85 years young.
In honor of the 190th Anniversary, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary invite you to join with them in a live, virtual Mass held Nov. 1, 2023, at 10:30-11:30 (CDT) at the following link: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/bvmsisters. A recording of the Mass will be available following at the same link.
Virtual Mass
In honor of the 190th Anniversary, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary invite you to join with them in a live, virtual Mass: Nov. 1, 2023 10:30-11:30 (CDT)
(A recording of the Mass will be available following at the same link.)
Novena
We invite you to join us in praying a Novena, Oct. 23–31, in celebration of the 190th Anniversary of the BVM Community. In the spirit of our Foundress, Mary Frances Clarke, this prayer is offered as a way of uniting “in one mind and heart.”
Prepared by: BVMs Kathryn Lawlor, Mary Martens, Mary McCauley, and Mary Frances Reis
Video and Photos
Mary Frances Clarke founded the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1833 in Philadelphia.
Beginning with Ms. Clarkes Seminary in Dublin, Ireland, BVMs developed a network of schools at all grade levels across the United States.
Students from Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Ill., visit with their former teacher Mary Sattgast, BVM. Mary ministered at Carmel Catholic for more than 52 years.
1961 was the beginning of BVMs ministering overseas in South and Central America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Within 20 years, 20 BVMs ministered in nine different countries.
BVM Leoline Sommer (center) was the only woman religious to march the entire way from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Sister Kenneth Keller is one of the first women in the United States to earn a PhD in Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Sister Carolyn Farrell is the first woman elected to the Dubuque City Council. In 1980 the Council elects her as mayor.
As one of our congregational stances, BVM Sisters advocate for comprehensive immigration reform.
Two times a year, BVM Sisters serve a meal at St. Patrick Parish in Dubuque, Iowa.
BVM leadership team breaks ground for a new senior living community on the grounds of Mount Carmel, the home of the Sisters of Charity, BVM in Dubuque, Iowa. Mount Carmel Bluffs is a shared ministry of the Sisters of Charity, BVM and Presbyterian Homes & Services.
In 2021 BVM Sisters move into the new senior living community, Mount Carmel Bluffs in Dubuque, Iowa.
Where in the world is Kenya? Sister Lina Wanjiku (r.) shows BVM President LaDonna Manternach the region where the Sisters of Emmanuel minister. As BVMs have retired from active ministry, they have established ministry partnership grants, and scholarships for women to ensure their legacy will continue through individuals and organizations who hold similar values.
We invite you to join us in praying a Novena, Oct. 23–31, in celebration of the 190th Anniversary of the BVM Community. In the spirit of our Foundress, Mary Frances Clarke, this prayer is offered as a way of uniting “in one mind and heart.”
