Heroic Nuns of the American Civil War

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 42, 4 November 1925, Page 21

Heroic Nuns of the American Civil War

DEATH OF THE LAST OF THEIR NUMBER. Sister Mary Ignatius Grant, senior member of the community of the Sisters of Mercy, and the last survivor of the heroic band of nuns who went from the old Houston Street convent, of this city’ to the military hospital at Beaufort, North Carolina, to devote themselves to the care of sick and wounded soldiers in the Civil War, died hero at the Convent of Mercy (says a New York report). She was in her 91st year, and 69 years of her life had been devoted to religion. June 18, 1857, Sister Ignatius entered St. Catherine’s Convent of Mercy, in Houston Street. Born in Ireland of Scotch-Irish parents, she inherited the sterling characteristics and courage of those sturdy races. “Her eventful career was marked by a deep-rooted faith implanted in her heart by her Irish Catholic mother, whose piety and heroism in bringing up numerous members of her family true and loyal children of the Church won its reward in many religious vocations which resulted later in their lives,” said one of the Sisters of the convent. Nursed Blue and Grey Probably the most eventful period in the long and active life of Sister Ignatius was the time she spent at Beaufort, N.C., nursing to health both the Blue and the Grey soldiers who fought in the Civil War. She distinguished herself, it is said, by her untiring devotion to the sufferers without questioning their allegiance. Sister Mary Ignatius gave freely of her services in the founding of the Order of Mercy in America. She was active in the establishment of .communities at Worcester, Mass, and St. Louis, and of St. Alphonsus’ Convent of Mercy, New Orleans, of which her sister, the Rev. Mother Mary'Catherine Grant, was the foundress and first Mother Superior. Founded. Girls’ Home. For many years Sister Mary Ignatius exerted a wonderful influence over young girls whom she met in her charge at the Mission Sodality established at old Houston Street Convent, and in the House of Mercy attached to it, where home and employment were found for all who sought its protection. With many disappointments and obstacles that would have discouraged a. loss zealous nature, she established . the first home for business girls in the city of New York. The beginning was humble, in a rented house at 69th Street and Lexington Avenue, but the venture soon called for more spacious accommodation, and was transferred to the now flourishing Regina Angelorum, at 112 East 106th Street. Later on homes for business girls were opened in the uptown district. Devin-Clare, at West 120th Street, and Susan-Devin residence, at 199th Street and Grand Concourse, and St. Joseph’s residence, 47 East 81st Street, the fourth and last of these homes, the founding of which she lived to witness, were among those which were opened under the guidance of Sister Mary Ignatius. For more than five years she had been an invalid. i