Weaving Hope: The Religious of Jesus and Mary in the United States 1877-2017

Weaving Hope is a narrative history of one group of Catholic women religious in the United States. From Quebec Canada in 1877 the Religious of Jesus and Mary arrived as missionaries to teach children of French-Canadian immigrants in textile industries of New England. Their ministry spread to New York Maryland the South and the West. Primarily educators they directed academies and parish schools. In the South and Southwest they added pastoral outreach to their educational ministry. With few resources the sisters overcame diverse challenges to create a network of service from coast to coast. This book presents the challenges they faced from local hierarchy and clergy as well as ethnic prejudices language difficulties classism and financial insecurity. Their faith and bold courage are displayed in this vibrant tapestry of a small but significant piece of womens history in our nation.