On Tuesday, September 23, 2014, several CARA members enjoyed an evening at the Loyola University Museum of Art (LUMA) where they attended a lecture by Dr. Ann Harrington, BVM, followed by a viewing of the
Crossings and Dwellings exhibit.
 |
Statue of the Virgin Mary at The Immaculata High School, Chicago.
Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress. |
In her lecture entitled "New Frontiers: The Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary," Dr. Harrington provided an overview of the history of the congregation, from their beginnings in Dublin, Ireland in 1831 to their present-day diverse ministries in more than 20 states and three foreign countries. She traced the BVMs' connection to the Jesuits and how that connection led them to Chicago where they eventually established an amazing number of Catholic schools, among them The Immaculata High School and St. Mary's High School. In 1930, the BVMs also opened Mundelein College for
women on Chicago's far north side on North Sheridan Road. Mundelein College later became part of Loyola's Lake Shore Campus.
After the lecture,
Crossings and Dwellings co-curators Ellen Skerrett and Dr. Rima Lunin Schultz led a viewing of the BVM portion of the exhibit, which contained photos and artifacts from the rich history of the congregation. Featured in the exhibit was a documentary film about Sr. Mary Justitia Coffey, BVM, the first president of Mundelein College, as well as artifacts from some of the college's more accomplished students, including an Oscar won by Mercedes McCambridge (Class of 1937) for her role in the 1949 film
All the King's Men.
 |
Mundelein College for women, Chicago.
Photo courtesy of chuckmanchicagonostalgia.wordpress.com. |
The Crossings and Dwellings exhibit at LUMA ends on October 19, 2014. It is well worth a visit for anyone interested in the history of Jesuits and women religious in America.
