Sisters of Charity of Nazareth facts for kids
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| Formation | December 1, 1812 |
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| Type | Religious institute |
| Headquarters | Nazareth, Kentucky |
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The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth (SCN) are a group of Catholic nuns. They were started in 1812 near Bardstown, Kentucky. Three young women answered a call from Bishop John Baptist Mary David. They wanted to help people in the area.
Contents
History of the Sisters
The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth began in 1812. Mother Catherine Spalding and Bishop John Baptist Mary David are seen as the co-founders. They worked together to start this group.
Early Beginnings
In 1812, Bishop Benedict Flaget needed help. Many Catholic families had moved to Kentucky. He needed someone to teach their children about their faith. Father John Baptist David asked young women to help.
Nineteen-year-old Catherine Spalding was chosen as the first leader. She led the group for 45 years. The new community followed the rules of Saint Vincent de Paul. Their home was named Nazareth.
Helping Others in Need
The Sisters quickly started helping their neighbors. They began by teaching children. In 1814, they opened their first school, Nazareth Academy. Mother Spalding also started Presentation Academy in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1831.
The Sisters also helped people in other ways. In 1832, they started caring for orphans. This began their social work. When cholera spread in 1833, the Sisters nursed sick people. They also served in military hospitals during the Civil War.
Education and Healthcare
The Sisters continued their work in education. In 1920, they opened Nazareth College. This was Kentucky's first four-year Catholic college for women. Later, the college was renamed Spalding College. In 1984, it became Spalding University.
Today, some of their old dorms help people. They provide affordable homes for older adults and people with disabilities.
Modern Work and Values
The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are now an international group. They serve people in many countries. As of 2018, about 550 Sisters were working. They serve in 20 states in the U.S., and in India, Nepal, Botswana, and Belize.
In 2000, the Sisters apologized for their past. They put up a monument to remember those who suffered from slavery.
The Sisters focus on six main goals today:
- Promoting peace
- Promoting human values
- Opposing racism
- Helping people in poverty
- Supporting women's issues
- Supporting environmental issues
They work with others to meet the needs of the world. They continue their pioneering spirit.
Mission
The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth have a clear mission. Their website says they are an international group. They are driven by love and the spirit of their founders. They work for justice with people who are oppressed. This includes the poor and women. They also care for the Earth. They use their lives and resources to carry out this mission.
See also
In Spanish: Hermanas de la Caridad de Nazareth para niños
- St. Thomas-St. Vincent Orphanage
