Sister of Mercy, perhaps a novice, preparing altar cloths in the sacristy for Mass. Also in the photo are a chalice, some vestments (far right), and a page of prayers in Latin (Orationes) that a priest would recite while vesting. Dated 1955.
Several Sisters of Mercy, novices (white veil), and postulants (black tulle veils) in prayer. Sacred Heart Chapel has large stained-glass windows. Dated 1955.
Sister of Mercy kneeling before a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To her right is a somewhat 2-dimensional likeness of a devout person praying the rosary and holding a candle. Dated 1955.
Ca. 23 women in the Sisters of Mercy community at Mount St. Mary's Sacred Heart Chapel : sisters (black veils), novices (white veils), and postulants (black tulle veils) in prayer in the choir of the chapel. Good example of Pre-Vatican II sanctuary, with the railing (where Communion is received);... Show moreCa. 23 women in the Sisters of Mercy community at Mount St. Mary's Sacred Heart Chapel : sisters (black veils), novices (white veils), and postulants (black tulle veils) in prayer in the choir of the chapel. Good example of Pre-Vatican II sanctuary, with the railing (where Communion is received); the altar built into the back wall of the sanctuary, requiring the priest to turn his back to the people; and the tabernacle placed centrally on the altar. Dated 1955. Show less
13 Sisters of Mercy gathered in a room at the convent or perhaps Trinity College (exact location unknown). Sisters of Mercy were founded in Ireland in 1831 by Mother Catherine McAuley and have been active in Vermont since 1872. Photo dated 1961. Photo #8?
Seven women, very likely at the beginning or perhaps the end of their novitiate with the Sisters of Mercy. Each holds a white candle and wears the white veil of a novice. The novitiate is a period of preparation and discernment, at least a year long, prior to making a temporary profession, the... Show moreSeven women, very likely at the beginning or perhaps the end of their novitiate with the Sisters of Mercy. Each holds a white candle and wears the white veil of a novice. The novitiate is a period of preparation and discernment, at least a year long, prior to making a temporary profession, the first of a series of vows to a religious community. Dated 1957. Show less
Hospital visit with a Sister of Mercy on the right, the patient in the middle, and a Sisters of Mercy postulant on the left. Exact location unknown but very likely De Goesbriand Memorial or Fanny Allen Hospital. Dated 1955.
Six Sisters of Mercy in the garden near the convent, perhaps novices, as indicated by the white veil, or professed sisters wearing cooler summer wear. Photo #28. Dated 1960.
"Cathedral Grammar School" [sic]. Sisters of Mercy recessing in the Sacred Heart Chapel after mass presumably, with novices in front, one of whom is carrying the cross. The convent was built between 1885 and 1890, in mostly Victorian and French Second Empire styles. The architect remains unknown.... Show more"Cathedral Grammar School" [sic]. Sisters of Mercy recessing in the Sacred Heart Chapel after mass presumably, with novices in front, one of whom is carrying the cross. The convent was built between 1885 and 1890, in mostly Victorian and French Second Empire styles. The architect remains unknown. The number of residents peaked in 1964 (182) but fell to 43 in 1996 (Blow et al., Historic Guide, II: 65-66). Show less
Seven women, very likely at the beginning or perhaps the end of their novitiate with the Sisters of Mercy. Each holds a white candle and wears the white veil of a novice. The novitiate is a period of preparation and discernment, at least a year long, prior to making a temporary profession, the... Show moreSeven women, very likely at the beginning or perhaps the end of their novitiate with the Sisters of Mercy. Each holds a white candle and wears the white veil of a novice. The novitiate is a period of preparation and discernment, at least a year long, prior to making a temporary profession, the first of a series of vows to a religious community. Dated 1956 / 1957. Show less
Classroom scene at Mt. St. Mary's, with both novices and postulants present, listening to instruction from a Sister of Mercy. (Some of the tall conifers on the campus can be seen through the windows.) Dated 1955.
Six Sisters of Mercy gathered before a shrine dedicated to Mary, Queen of the Assumption. These women may still be in the novitiate, or celebrating the end of it. Location is unknown but presumably on the grounds of Mount St. Mary's. Photo #26. Dated 1960.
A Sister of Mercy kneeling at the Communion railing in the Sacred Heart Chapel at Mount St. Mary's. Built in the late 1880s, the convent would accommodate as many as 182 professed sisters, novices, and postulants affiliated with the Sisters of Mercy. The chapel features a broad, tiled center... Show moreA Sister of Mercy kneeling at the Communion railing in the Sacred Heart Chapel at Mount St. Mary's. Built in the late 1880s, the convent would accommodate as many as 182 professed sisters, novices, and postulants affiliated with the Sisters of Mercy. The chapel features a broad, tiled center aisle, with pews on either side facing each other for antiphonal chanting. The sanctuary is a study in symmetry, with Gothic-arched stained-glass windows and arched passageways on either side of the altar. The abundance of polished white marble and/or granite shows that the Sisters spared no expense in creating an atmosphere of reverence for generations to come. Photo #1. Undated. Show less
Photo designed (perhaps for promotional purposes) to show the three stages of a vocation to religious life with the Sisters of Mercy: postulant (black lace hairpiece); novice (habit with white veil); and sister (habit with black veil). Dated 1955.
