- October 14, 2020 Motherhouse, Congregation
By Jenny Beatrice
The word “archives” may bring visions of fading photos and dusty files to mind, but the Carondelet Consolidated Archive is very much alive, preserving and sharing the history, spirit and memory of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. With a variety of records and materials housed in the state-of-the-art facility on the St. Louis province campus, the archive not only tells the story of the congregation but it connects people to their personal stories as well.
In just one year’s time, Archive Director Catherine Lucy and her sister volunteers received 424 reference requests ranging from people seeking historical information to researching their family genealogy to looking for a sister that was special to them.
We talked to Catherine more about her work in the archive and how you, too, can utilize the special services of the Carondelet Consolidated Archive.
What kind of records and materials are housed in the archive?
The archive holds a variety of records and materials that tell the history of the congregation and the provinces, such as correspondence, reports, meeting minutes, member files, history of ministries, photographs, objects and audio-visual materials.
What are some favorite facts that you have discovered in your work?
I learn something new with every question I receive. A few standouts for me include the concept of lay sisters, how the sisters rescued children during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and the sisters’ early work with Native American missions.
Any fun facts you have found?
I was surprised to learn from another archivist that napkin rings were traditionally brought to the convent by the new members. When I asked some of the sister volunteers about it, they told me this wasn't a tradition at the St. Louis motherhouse, but they did bring their own place settings when entering.
I also learn a lot of fun facts when researching my weekly “Throwback Thursday” photo for the congregation’s Facebook page (facebook.com/csjcarondelet). For instance, did you know Grandma Moses visited the faculty of St. Mary's Academy in Hoosick Falls, New York, in the early 1950s? And Sister Mary Kay Kottenstette coordinated the making of a life-size nativity set from papiermâché in Peru in the late 1960s? A sight to see!
What types of requests from the public do you receive?
I receive a variety of requests from the public, but a significant number are questions such as, "My great aunt was a CSJ, and I was wondering what you can tell me about her?" In those cases, I will send them a copy of the sister's biographical data sheet from our database and a photo or two, if available. Other times, researchers ask about a particular mission, event or topic such as social justice.
Any notable cases you have worked on recently?
I had the pleasure to work with the Missouri History Museum and contribute to their exhibit, "Beyond the Ballot: St. Louis and Suffrage." The Sisters of St. Joseph are included in this exhibit, which features local women’s involvement in charitable and benevolent organizations in St. Louis prior to 1920.
Have you done any other research lately that is particularly relevant to the times we are living in?
Since we are currently living through a pandemic, there has been a resurgence of interest in the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic. I have received a wide range of questions, from the congregation's response as a whole to how specific CSJ-sponsored institutions might have responded. Today, I am collecting narratives from the sisters about their experiences during these coronavirus times as that will be an important story to tell in the future.
Also, I conducted a thorough review of St. Louis province records regarding if the province any policies that prohibited women of color from entering. No documentation was found, but this is often the case in archives when working with pre-1960 materials. My research was shared with historian Dr. Shannen Dee Williams, an expert on the subject, who is writing a book called, Subversive Habits: The Untold Story of Black Catholic Nuns in the United States.
Have a research request?
Use the “Find a Sister” form, email Catherine Lucy at [email protected] or call the main archives office at 314-678-0320.