Foundation Day

Today is the anniversary of the Sisters of Divine Providence arriving in Kentucky, August 23, 1889 . At the motherhouse in France there had been discernment for some months about who would come. Forty sisters volunteered. Four were chosen, in the end three came. They left France by boat for the long journey to New York.

Probably because of our spirituality which is definitely colored by trust in God's tender care, they were told by their superiors, "We will get you to New York. From there make your way to Kentucky." Perhaps, they were not aware of the distance or of travel in the States compared to travel in Europe. The bishop of Covington had arranged to accept the sisters and had sisters of St. Francis of the Poor meet them in New York and help them get to Covington, Kentucky--their destination. As they crossed the bridge from Cincinnati, Ohio to Covington, Kentucky on August 23 the angelus was ringing from a church tower in Covington. When they arrived the Sisters of St. Francis of the Poor gave them a home until the bishop arranged for them to purchase what was known as the "Jones Mansion" in Newport, Kentucky.

They arrived there by horse drawn carriage. The house was atop a large hill which the horses refused to climb. One of the sisters got out and blessed the ground with holy water at which the horses began to gallop up the hill. Thus, began the first convent, Mount Saint Martin, where the sisters lived and flourished.

What a happy feast for all of us Sisters of Divine Providence.