Mary Cecilia Bailly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mother Mary Cecilia Bailly |
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| Religion | Catholic |
| Institute | Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods |
| Personal | |
| Born | Eleanor Cecilia Kinzie Bailly June 2, 1815 Mackinac County, Michigan |
| Died | August 2, 1898 (aged 83) Terre Haute, Indiana |
| Resting place | Sisters of Providence Convent Cemetery, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana |
| Senior posting | |
| Title | Superior general |
| Period in office | 1856–1868 |
| Predecessor | Saint Mother Theodore Guerin |
| Successor | Mother Anastasie Brown |
Mother Mary Cecilia Bailly (June 2, 1815 – August 2, 1898) was an important leader of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, a group of Catholic sisters in Indiana. She served as their leader, called the Superior General, from 1856 to 1868. She took over from the group's founder, Saint Mother Theodore Guerin.
During her time as leader, Mother Mary Cecilia started rebuilding their school, which is now Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. She also sent sisters to work as nurses in military hospitals in Indianapolis and Vincennes, Indiana during the American Civil War.
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Early Life and Calling
Mother Mary Cecilia was born Eleanor Cecilia Kinzie Bailly in Mackinac County, Michigan, on June 2, 1815. Her father, Joseph Bailly, was a fur trader from Canada. Her mother, Marie Le Fèvre, was from the Ottawa Native American tribe.
When Eleanor was seven, her family moved to a homestead in Porter County, Indiana. Many Native American tribes, like the Menominee and Winnebago, visited this home.
A priest named John Guegeuen held church services at the Bailly home. He helped Eleanor learn about the Sisters of Providence. Eleanor joined the Sisters on November 25, 1841. This is when she became known as Sister Mary Cecilia.
In 1843, she was chosen to go with Mother Theodore Guerin on a trip to France. They traveled to France and spent time with other Sisters of Providence there. The sisters in France were surprised by Bailly's good education and that she spoke French well. Guerin and Bailly also met important people, including the Queen of France, Maria Amalia.
After returning, Sister Mary Cecilia taught at the Academy, which is now Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. In 1848, she took full charge of running the school.
Leading the Sisters of Providence
In 1856, Mother Mary Cecilia became the Superior General of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. This happened after Mother Theodore Guerin passed away. As leader, she earned the title of Mother Mary Cecilia.
During her time as leader, she sent Sisters of Providence to teach in schools across many towns in Indiana. These towns included Washington, New Albany, Cannelton, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Loogootee, Vincennes, and Lafayette.
Building for the Future
In 1858, Mother Mary Cecilia hired Diedrich A. Bohlen, an architect from Indianapolis. He helped build a new main building for the Academy. He also designed other buildings the Sisters needed, like a bakehouse and a greenhouse.
A small, temporary chapel was also built for the Sisters. This was used until a larger, more beautiful church could be built later. The Church of the Immaculate Conception was finished and dedicated in 1907.
Helping During the Civil War
By May 1861, Indiana was deeply involved in the American Civil War. Many wounded soldiers needed care. Indiana's governor, Oliver Morton, asked Mother Mary Cecilia to send Sisters of Providence to work as nurses.
On May 17, 1861, the Sisters took over running the Military Hospital in Indianapolis. The Sisters were in charge of washing, cooking, and cleaning. Many Sisters also worked directly as nurses. Today, the Sisters of Providence are honored by a monument in Washington, D.C. This monument is dedicated to the Nuns of the Battlefield who served during the Civil War.
Leadership and Change
Mother Mary Cecilia was known for being a strong and decisive leader. Some Sisters admired her firm leadership, while others did not agree with her style.
In the congregation's elections of 1868, Mother Mary Cecilia was not chosen to continue as Superior General. Instead, Sister Anastasie Brown was named the new leader.
This change caused some disagreement within the community. Some Sisters felt it was unfair to Mother Mary Cecilia. For a while, there was talk of starting a new group of Sisters of Providence, with Mother Mary Cecilia in charge. This new group would have been at the old Bailly Homestead in Porter County, Indiana. However, these plans stopped when a new Superior General, Mother Mary Ephrem Glenn, was elected in 1874. After this, the community became more united again.
In 1880, Mother Mary Cecilia went to work at St. Ann's Orphanage in Terre Haute, Indiana. She stayed there, caring for the children. She also began writing a book about Saint Mother Theodore Guerin. She did not finish the book before she passed away in 1898.
Legacy
Mother Mary Cecilia Bailly is buried in the Sisters of Providence Convent Cemetery at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
