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Michaela
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This is trail from Amy's thread Saints list for different US states.
There are many religious and lay people who were amazing missionaries that many people, outside the area they served, may know nothing about.
If you know of one or two where you live or somewhere else, please share on this thread.
Two years ago, before entering the Catholic church, a statue of a nun caught my attention during a field trip to the WA state capital building.
After an online search, I found out it was of a Canadian nun named Mother Joseph. The statue I saw is a replica of the original sent to Statuary Hall in our Capital Washington D.C. Her statue is the only Catholic woman religious there.
The inscription on it reads: "She made monumental contributions to health care, education, and social work throughout the Northwest." Known as "the Builder," Mother Joseph designed and/or supervised construction of 29 schools and hospitals, one of which was Seattle's first hospital . She is recognized as one of the first architects in Washington Territory. In 1953 the American Institute of Architects declared Mother Joseph "The First Architect of the Pacific Northwest.”
Mother Joseph and her sisters built 29 hospitals, schools, and homes for orphans and the elderly in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and southern British Columbia, including eleven hospitals, seven academies, five Indian schools, and two orphanages. Mother Joseph was responsible for designing the buildings, supervising their construction, and fund raising. Mother Joseph often inspected rafters and bounced on planks to insure their support, climbed to inspect roofs, and knocked down a poorly-made chimney late at night and forced the workmen to rebuild it correctly the following day.
taken from an interesting article about Mother Joseph
Thanks to a group of determined 6th graders April 16 is Mother Joseph's Day here in WA state!
Catholic Health Care in the US -- Mother Joseph
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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MaryM
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Been meaning to get back to this. I think it is a great idea, Michaela. It would be wonderful if people from each state (US) would post resources and links to Catholic figures of history from their states. Since we know so little Catholic history gets covered in textbooks and even the Catholic ones mainly cover the big names.
We found out about Mother Joseph this year as well. My daughter did a "History of Nursing, Nuns, and Hospitals in America" for our spring Catholic History Fair. There are many remarkable women religious who contributed much to our country throughout it's history. I feel like we only touched the surface and would love to continue finding out more.
Some notable Catholics from Colorado history
Julia Greeley (I didn't include her on the listing as a Servant of God as I couldn't find anything official that indicated her cause was started. Gwen, can you help?)
Bishop Joseph P. Machebeuf
Sister Blandina Segale
"Unsinkable" Molly Brown
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Mary M. in Denver
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JennGM
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REALLY??? She has always fascinated me, but I had no idea of her Catholicism or holiness. So cool! I enjoyed the musical of her, although of course, it removes any of this aspect.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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MaryM
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JennGM wrote:
REALLY??? She has always fascinated me, but I had no idea of her Catholicism or holiness. So cool! I enjoyed the musical of her, although of course, it removes any of this aspect. |
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I didn't include her on the list for extreme holiness, more for the famous Catholic connection. She was faithful and philanthropic. She did contribute quite a bit to the fundraising efforts to build our lovely Cathedral here.
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Mary M. in Denver
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doris
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Well, it's in Canada rather than the US, but Blessed Dina Belanger is from Quebec, and is going to be canonised soon! You read it here first!
Our former parish priest has been very involved in the canonisation process, because he was a direct witness to the miracle of healing brought about by Blessed Dina's intercession.
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JennGM
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Michaela, I just finished reading an article from CNS that mentioned Mother Joseph, and many other statues found in DC.
Mixing Religion and Politics: Symbols of Faith tucked into power city by Carol Zimmerman.
I immediately thought of this thread!
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Michaela
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MaryM wrote:
| It would be wonderful if people from each state (US) would post resources and links to Catholic figures of history from their states. Since we know so little Catholic history gets covered in textbooks and even the Catholic ones mainly cover the big names. |
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Precisely, Mary!
You eloquently expressed the reason I started this thread.
My parish library has her book At the End of the Santa Fe Trail. It is on loan now, but when it's returned 
Elizabeth wrote:
| Well, it's in Canada rather than the US, but Blessed Dina Belanger is from Quebec |
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Goodness, Elizabeth, I did not mind at all. I enjoyed reading the information about her I found online.
Jenn, thank you for sharing such an informative article! After reading it, I wish we were visiting the DC to find those treasures. Hopefully, I can locate a book about the hidden treasures on the West Coast similiar to Father Hemrick's book because a "Catholic Scavenger Hunt" is exactly what I'm on. 
At each moment, look upon God only as a good Father; Smile at everyone, smile with joy, smile with acknowledgement; ~~Blessed Dina Belanger
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Michaela
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Michaela
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New York
Mother Alphonsa (Rose Hawthorne Lathrop 1851-1926)
Her father was the famous writer, Nathanial Hawthorne.
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Michaela
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MaryM
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I think we are going to have some overlap here between threads which is fine, but I do want to point out that Dina Belanger and Rose Hawthorne Lathrop are also listed (and linked to biographies) on the master listing of American Saints/Blessed/Venerable/Servant of God because they have officially had their cause for sainthood started.
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Mary M. in Denver
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teachingmom
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Michaela wrote:
| After an online search, I found out it was of a Canadian nun named Mother Joseph. The statue I saw is a replica of the original sent to Statuary Hall in our Capital Washington D.C. Her statue is the only Catholic woman religious there. |
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I just wanted to add that we noticed the statue of Mother Joseph on a trip to the US Capitol this past year. What a pleasant surprise to find a statue of a Catholic nun (!) among all the other statues there.
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~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Historical Catholic Figures
