Sister M. Seraphica Mitchell, SSND
(Born Maria Henrietta Mitchell)
First Profession September 3, 1861
Motherhouse
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Assistant to Commissary General,
Mother Mary Caroline Friess, SSND
Motherhouse
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Directress
St. Mary Institute
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Directress
Academy of Our Lady
Longwood, Chicago, Illinois
Beloved older sister of Sister M. Carola Mitchell, SSND.
Maria was born to Henry Sewell Mitchell and Sarah Mary de Courcy on the plantation Myrtle Grove, near Washington, DC. Myrtle Grove belonged to an uncle, her parents' plantation being located near Port Tobacco. Both parents were descended from Maryland Catholic families of the colonial era.
Maria's education was received through the tutelage of governesses at home and attendance at Eden Hall, near Philadelphia, where she was taught by the Religious of the Sacred Heart. As her mother's health declined, Maria took over increasing responsibilities at Myrtle Grove, which the family had inherited on her uncle's death. In addition to the usual household duties, Maria formed catechism and First Communion classes for the slaves who worked the plantation. Her own spiritual growth was under the direction of members of the Society of Jesus.
Refused permission from her parents to enter religious life, Maria slipped away without it, traveling to Baltimore and the Sisters' convent on Aisquith Street. She was sent to Milwaukee for her novitiate where she received the name Mary Seraphica, a name given her by Mother Mary Caroline Friess. A gifted woman, Sister Seraphica taught for many years at St. Mary Institute in Milwaukee. For a number of those years she also served as one of Mother Caroline's Assistants in the Commissariat.
In 1896 Sister Seraphica was sent to Chicago to serve as the Directress of the Academy of Our Lady, Longwood. Sister Seraphica served in this capacity until 1909 when age forced her to retire from active ministry. In the spring of 1910, she traveled to Milwaukee for a visit. The trip was too much for her and she died during her visit.
(Information taken from Mother Caroline and the School Sisters of Notre Dame by Sister M. Dympna Flynn, SSND)
School Sisters of Notre Dame, Milwaukee Province
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord!
Sister M. Seraphica Mitchell, SSND
(Born Maria Henrietta Mitchell)
First Profession September 3, 1861
Motherhouse
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Assistant to Commissary General,
Mother Mary Caroline Friess, SSND
Motherhouse
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Directress
St. Mary Institute
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Directress
Academy of Our Lady
Longwood, Chicago, Illinois
Beloved older sister of Sister M. Carola Mitchell, SSND.
Maria was born to Henry Sewell Mitchell and Sarah Mary de Courcy on the plantation Myrtle Grove, near Washington, DC. Myrtle Grove belonged to an uncle, her parents' plantation being located near Port Tobacco. Both parents were descended from Maryland Catholic families of the colonial era.
Maria's education was received through the tutelage of governesses at home and attendance at Eden Hall, near Philadelphia, where she was taught by the Religious of the Sacred Heart. As her mother's health declined, Maria took over increasing responsibilities at Myrtle Grove, which the family had inherited on her uncle's death. In addition to the usual household duties, Maria formed catechism and First Communion classes for the slaves who worked the plantation. Her own spiritual growth was under the direction of members of the Society of Jesus.
Refused permission from her parents to enter religious life, Maria slipped away without it, traveling to Baltimore and the Sisters' convent on Aisquith Street. She was sent to Milwaukee for her novitiate where she received the name Mary Seraphica, a name given her by Mother Mary Caroline Friess. A gifted woman, Sister Seraphica taught for many years at St. Mary Institute in Milwaukee. For a number of those years she also served as one of Mother Caroline's Assistants in the Commissariat.
In 1896 Sister Seraphica was sent to Chicago to serve as the Directress of the Academy of Our Lady, Longwood. Sister Seraphica served in this capacity until 1909 when age forced her to retire from active ministry. In the spring of 1910, she traveled to Milwaukee for a visit. The trip was too much for her and she died during her visit.
(Information taken from Mother Caroline and the School Sisters of Notre Dame by Sister M. Dympna Flynn, SSND)
School Sisters of Notre Dame, Milwaukee Province
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord!
