Today marks the death of Anna Hanson Dorsey (1815-1896), one of the first recipients of Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal, since 1883 awarded to lay people “whose genius has ennobled the arts and sciences, illustrated the ideals of the church and enriched the heritage of humanity.” (This year’s recipient was Martin Sheen.) Descended from a prominent [...]

On Christmas Day in 1545 three women took Jesuit vows: Isabel Roser, a Spanish noblewoman; her lady-in-waiting Francisca Cruyllas; and Isabel’s friend Lucrezia di Bradine. The order founded by St. Ignatius Loyola was only five years old, and Isabel had been one of its biggest benefactors from the start. But Ignatius wasn’t willing to grant [...]

Today marks the birth of Mother Delphine Fontbonne (1813-1856), foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto. Born in France, she joined the Sisters of St. Joseph at age nineteen. By the time she showed up, the community had become almost a family business. One of her sisters was a Sister, and so were [...]