Nov. 11 is the anniversary of the arrival of the first Sisters of Charity at Leavenworth, Kansas, USA. Click here to see an illustrated timeline of the history of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, on their website.

“[Bishop Miège] took them to see the cottage that would be the convent proper. They felt a deep satisfaction in spite of a tinge of loneliness as they stepped in from the sharp air to a house utterly devoid of furniture. It was newly painted, swept very clean, but not yet garnished. Sure enough, the rooms were tiny, just as Mother Xavier had said they were. In what was intended to be the community room a few logs smoldered on the fireplace. At these a little cat gazed wistfully, turning its head lazily to view the newcomers to see the cause of the disturbance of its dozing daydreams. Evidently, it was satisfied with the visitors, for it got up and purred around them as if to give them a welcome. Then and there it became an adherent of the community. […] The afternoon of that first day, their baggage arrived. The two pianos were uncrated; one was placed in the parlor, the other in the room that was to be used for teaching music. The two guitars went to the same places. […] Gradually this room took on the appearance of hospitality. […] Because eating while standing is never too convenient, Bishop Miège thought of the benches in the school building and sent Brother John to get a couple of them. There was still no dining-room table; nor was there one until it could be made. This took a few days. The fourteen pictures representing events in the life of St. Vincent de Paul were hung on the walls of the community room. The bedding was unpacked, but the Sisters found that the floor would be their only beds for a time.”

– from “COME NORTH!” The Life-Story of Mother Xavier Ross, Valiant Pioneer and Foundress of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, by Sister Julia Gilmore, S.C.L., pp. 97-98

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