52 Ancestors – 52 Weeks

When I read that this week’s prompt is “service” I immediately thought of Sister Mary Erigina Flannery, O.P. (Order of Preachers). Sister Erigina was born Mary Ann Flannery to James and Catherine Behan Flannery, Irish emigrants who came to the United States in 1880. Mary was born June 6, 1893 on a farm in rural Bear Creek, Waupaca County, Wisconsin. Mary had one older brother, Francis (my grandfather) and one younger brother, John.

Mary entered religious life probably around age 14, right after she graduated eighth grade. She entered the Dominican order of religious sisters of Sinsinawa, Grant County, Wisconsin with two other American Irish girls from her hometown. The Dominicans had many Irish members at that and I believe that is why she went to them. A religious order is a group of women (or men) who live as a community. Each order has its own set of rules that mandates how the women (or men) must act and dress. At the time Mary Ann entered the order women were required to wear a habit (see picture below) and take a new name, generally a saint’s name. The new name was assigned by the order. (Today, women generally keep their own name.) At the time Mary entered the Dominicans she was required to take the middle name of Mary, showing her devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. Mary was assigned the name Erigina, so she was known as Sister Mary Erigina, shortened to Sister Erigina. After completing her training and education Sister Erigina made a commitment and took vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to the order and the Catholic Church.

Sister Mary Erigina Flannery, her mother Catherine Behan Flannery and unknown boy circa 1940

Sister Erigina was a teacher and spent many years in Green Bay and Chicago Catholic schools. Classrooms were large, often with 50-60 students. Sister taught the seventh and eighth grades.

Nuns were allowed to make a visit to their homes during the summer months. They were not allowed to travel alone and Sister Erigina was often accompanied by the other two sisters from her hometown. Sister often stayed at our home even though my mother had four children, a husband who was a farmer and often hired hands to feed.

I have many memories of Sister Erigina. I remember her as very stern and the four of us children were told to be on our best behavior and pretty much stay out of sight during her visits. At the time we felt we were being punished during those visits because of the stricter rules we had to follow. As an adult I realize that Sister Mary Erigina Flannery was an honorable woman who lived her life in service to her God and her fellow humans.

Sister Erigina died May 28, 1979 at the Dominican Villa in Dubuque, Iowa. The Villa was the home for retired sisters. She is buried in St. Clara’s Catholic Cemetery (also known as Motherhouse Cemetery) at Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.