Alliance of Catholic Women

...ut hundreds of new toys.[12] In 1953, the Alliance of Catholic Women faced new competition from the newly formed Ladies of Charity of Philadelphia, which unlike the ACW did not charge membership dues. Despite this, the Alliance continued its charitable work in the archdiocese until 2000, when the organization ceased

Continue reading

Hometown Saint: Katharine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in Philadelphia

...d lead to the neglect or abandonment of the Indian and Colored races.” The new order, the first to minister to the needs of Native-Americans and African-Americans, grew slowly. In 1892, twelve postulates received the habit of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament (SBS). Ultimately, more than 100 SBS educational

Continue reading

1832 Cholera Outbreak in Philadelphia and Duffy’s Cut

...Although downplayed in histories concerning the 1832 cholera epidemic, the toll that the disease took on Philadelphia that summer was high. Many residents fled from the city to the countryside. August proved to be the worst month with well over a hundred cases a day reported. A significant number of

Continue reading

Roman Catholic and Archdiocese High Schools

...f construction, on September 6, 1890, a dedication service was held at the newly completed school. In his speech, Archbishop Ryan stressed the importance of the first free Catholic high school in the nation, stating that public schools did “not go far enough in the grand mission of education or

Continue reading