Sisters Papers
1875 to 1947
Emily Patmore's booklet on the life of her mother
c1865
This poignant memorial booklet was created by Emily Patmore as a child and contains precious memories of her mother. Emily was born in 1853, the daughter of the famous poet Coventry Patmore who composed 'the Angel in the House', a poem celebrating his wife, Emily’s mother, who died when Emily was only 9 years old. A pupil of the SHCJ school at St Leonards, Emily would have known Cornelia Connelly who had lost her father at the same age.
Verses written by Sr Christina Patmore
c1875
Emily made her first profession as an SHCJ sister in 1875 and took Mary Christina as her name in religion (a new name given to women entering religious life). These poems were written around the time of her profession and reveal many of her joys and concerns regarding life as a Catholic woman religious.
Sr Christina died after only 7 years in the Society and aged just 29, but her ‘ardent spirit’ made a deep impression on the SHCJ sisters of St Leonards, one of whom wrote a biography of her published in 1924.
Mother Mary Francis Tolhurst's Easter Letter
14th March 1920
This Easter greeting was sent by the Superior General, Mother Mary Francis Tolhurst to the English (later European) Province during her visitation of SHCJ Convents in the USA. She hopes 'may the Lord greet you with his own sweet words "Peace be to you" amd may he fill our hearts with spiritual joy' and sends them 'much love'. The robin and the great tit on the front are handpainted by M.M. Francis herself in watercolours.
Nora O'Connor's (Mother Mary Paul) Oxford student report card
Michaelmas (Autumn) 1908
This report card belonged to Nora O'Connor, who was taught by the SHCJ at Layton Hill, Blackpool, the last of a series of schools this headstong girl attended and the only one where she no longer felt the need to rebel. Nora went on to study at Oxford, living at St Frideswide's, Cherwell Edge, the accommodation managed by the SHCJ for female Catholic students. This report gives the impression of a hard work and practical student, who might have much to learn but eager to engage. In 1917 a new chapter of her life would begin when she joined the SHCJ.
Mother Mary Paul O'Connor's notes on being a provincial superior
1947
These notes were taken down while Mother Mary Paul O'Connor had a conversation with the Society's Reverend Mother General, Genevieve France. This document gives a valuable insight into how the SHCJ was managed prior to the changes brought in by Vatican II as well as the experiences and ideas of M. Genevieve anh how they were received by M.M. Paul. Through these brief notes, we can imagine the conversation had at Via Boncompagni, the home of the SHCJ Generalate in Rome.