About our Foundress, Elizabeth Prout:
a decade of challenge and reward

Passionist Father Ignatius Spencer (right), an Englishman (great-great-great uncle of the late Diana, Princess of Wales) and, like Mother Mary Joseph, a convert stepped into Fr Gaudentius' role as guide for the Institute. His manner of directing the Sisters was gentle, liberating, and encouraging.

A compassionate guide helped, for in 1857 Mother Mary Joseph discovered that one of the Institute's superiors had run up large debts. To settle these, Elizabeth had to get permission to beg, first in Lancashire and then in Ireland, where she and a companion traveled on November 24, 1857. Their tour brought little financial success; they were one of many looking to Ireland for funds at that time. Still, the two sisters received some great kindnesses. After two months in Ireland, they returned to Manchester.

In Manchester, they found that a sister who had renewed her vows the previous November and who had been left in charge of a convent had spent the time getting ready to enter another religious community! She had done nothing to care for the community, had written an inaccurate letter to Fr Gaudentius in the United States about the state of the Institute, and had left. (Perhaps it is unsurprising that she did not stay long in her new religious community.) Rumors of difficulties and lies somehow spread around Manchester. Mother Mary Joseph and the Institute underwent an investigation by a Commission of Enquiry.

After what must have seemed like unbearable suspense, the Commission completed its investigation and recommended that the Institute continue. Women came, gifted and loyal, and the Institute grew. Mother Mary Joseph's health deteriorated. Her mother and father died, but not before becoming reconciled with their daughter. In fact, both died as practicing Catholics.

distributing cotton rations in Manchester

Manchester's 1862 'cotton famine' (a consequence of civil war in the United States) brought new suffering. In response, Mother Mary Joseph (drawing at right) sent four sisters to teach general subjects, sewing and cookery to the unemployed. Up to 600 Catholic factory girls were attending these classes in St Ann's Hall.

At this time, Mother Mary Joseph worked closely with Fr Ignatius to revise the Institute's Rule, so that it could be presented for approval in Rome. A priest with mistaken zeal spread untrue and injurious insinuations about the relationship between Mother Mary Joseph and Fr Ignatius. Fr Ignatius' reaction:

"Do you not see that God is asking you for the rarest thing you can give? Give your good name then, freely, and thank Him for taking it. Don't you see that by this you are resembling Him more clearly?... Let us resign ourselves unreservedly into His hands."

Fr Ignatius presented the revised Rule to Rome. In May, 1863 temporary approval was granted for the canonical establishment of the Institute. On October 23 of the same year, the first General Chapter of the Sisters of the Holy Family was held. Mother Mary Joseph was now terminally ill. Regardless, she was unanimously chosen as first Superior General of the Congregation.

journey's end

• return to Introduction
• our charism and vision
• Sisters today: where and what
• more about Elizabeth Prout
• other sites on the Web
• interested?

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Text for the story of Mother Mary Joseph follows and uses language from A Woman Who Said Yes: the Story of Elizabeth Prout by Anna Maria Reynolds, C.P. All rights reserved.