Saint Clara Academy
Schoolgirl tributes to the old “Benton Days” of Saint Clara, and to Father Mazzuchelli: “O quam dilecta!”
These two articles by high school aged girls are drawn from 1899 and 1900 editions of The Young Eagle, the student magazine of Saint Clara Academy girls’ school on Sinsinawa Mound. Benton, Wisconsin, several miles distant from Sinsinawa, was the original place where Father Samuel Mazzuchelli founded Saint Clara. At this time, there were still alumni and sisters living who remembered those times fondly, and even some who remembered Father Samuel himself. — [At the request of the pupils of St. Clara, Benton, we publish the response given at the Alumnae Reunion to the toast ” Benton Days.”—ED. Y. E.] “BENTON DAYS.” ” One hand...
Read More“Influence of Noble Womanhood,” according to a Saint Clara girl in 1900
“The woman Dante describes, who influenced him so, was a true daughter of the church, and one that we all wish to be like. Her power over his life from their first meeting, when children of nine, to his death, is wonderful. She is like a light burning brightest in darkest hours, leading him ever upward. …Good women were a great support in the past, but how much greater a part is woman’s at present ? Her circle is widened. …She can voice her opinions in public affairs if necessary; but her truest sphere is home. God made her its queen. From there her influence can be most widely distributed.”
Read MorePoetry about Father Mazzuchelli from turn-of-the-century Saint Clara Academy
From the Saint Clara Academy, Sinsinawa student magazine The Young Eagle, at the turn of the century. The first three are very pleasing student works. Possibly the one that begins “Today we keep our holy Founder’s Day !” may have been written by a sister, on the basis that an author is not mentioned, but only “read by Mary Lyon,” who was a student. The poem was described as “the keynote” of the November 4th Founder’s day celebration at which it was read. The Founder’s Day program also included instrumental and vocal music selections, and an eloquent address by a priest on the life and spirit of the Founder.
Read More“Kittie’s Trials”: A Catholic short story from 1899, by a Saint Clara Academy girl
This wonderful short story was written in 1898 by Charlotte Lodge, a talented high school aged student of Saint Clara Academy, the girls’ school on Sinsinawa Mound, run by the Dominican Sisters. It was published by The Young Eagle, the Saint Clara student magazine, of which Charlotte was also one of the editors. That’s her in the middle, in the square picture featured on this article. I have a real admiration for this story, because it is well written and I really get a sense of how Saint Clara Academy was fostering real love for the Catholic Faith, and building up the girls in virtue, and fostering a beautiful Catholic culture. Kids and adults today should...
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Dominican priest and Missionary Apostolic
in Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois
in pioneer times.
Builder of 20 churches, founder of 30 parishes,
founder of the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa.