Today, October 20, is a very special day for Sacred Heart schools around the world as we celebrate the Feast of Mater Admirabilis, “Mother Most Admirable.”
This morning, the Academy community gathered for Mass in the Shrine of St. Philippine Duchesne celebrated by Fr. Jeff Fennewald. This shared feast day reminds us of our deep connection to the wider Sacred Heart family as we are united in prayer.
At the conclusion of Mass, Lisa Tebbe ’80, Director of Marketing and Communications, reflected.
Today we are connected with Sacred Heart students, faculty and staff and alumni around the world who are celebrating Mater’s feast. As you know, Mater is present in all of our schools. If you visit another Sacred Heart school, you’ll find a statue, painting, stained glass window or other depiction of her.
Mater in the original location at the end of the science corridor, 1909.
When I was a student here at the Academy, the story of Mater Admirablis was magical. The beautiful statue – still in the same spot in the corridor, and the painting that hangs in Cribbin Hall, were not only illustrations of the story that we learned as children, but symbolic of her purity, her contemplation and her deep trust. Mater’s feast was a time to celebrate those gifts – and also a chance to wear our white dresses and have pink goûter!
Later as an adult, I came to appreciate Mater in another way – of calling us to interiority, a reminder that there is comfort in silence, that trust in God is paramount. Each time I walk by her, I’m filled with a sense of peace …
Mater invites us to slow down, to cast our gaze inward and to open ourselves to prayer and a deeper relationship with her. My hope is that you are able to experience that bond in a meaningful way throughout your life. And remember anytime you visit another Sacred Heart school, look for Mater. You will feel like you are home.
From the Archives
The Mater devotion was first introduced at the Academy in 1865. Thank you to Theresa Grass ’67, Academy Archivist, for sharing these entries from the school journal:
October, 1865: This being the month dedicated to our Blessed Lady under the title of Mater Admirabilis, we endeavored to introduce this beautiful devotion amongst the pupils. Our exertions were crowned with complete success. Mater Admirabilis gained their entire confidence. In all their little difficulties they had recourse to this Admirable Mother and never in vain.
October 20, 1865: The feast of Mater Admirabilis was celebrated for the first time by the pupils. The altar of the Children of Mary was tastefully arranged, a lamp was kept burning all day before the statue of our Immaculate Mother, and many made their nine visits to her shrine. In the evening, the pupils were all assembled around the feet of our heavenly Queen – the litany was sung and an act of Consecration to Mater Admirabilis was read.
October, 1889: The feast of Mater Admirabilis was celebrated with fervor by our pupils, each class composed special acts of consecration which were pronounced in turn at the foot of our beautiful Statue adorned with lights and flowers for the occasion. Reverend Father Rosswinkel presiding. All had prepared by a novena of silence and fidelity for the feast. The Rev. Father encouraged, by a few well-chosen words, the devotion and piety of our children.
In February 1890, the school received what is the statue we still have. It seems the statue was placed at the end of the science corridor (in the 1886 building, now the Fifth/Sixth Class wing) where the steps that lead upstairs are now.
February 2, 1890: On the second of February, we had a very charming little ceremony of the Blessing of the shrine and statue of Mater Admirabilis, a beautiful life-size statue, the gift of one of our dear pupils, a convert and now a novice in our loved Society. From the Shrine of Mater Admirabilis, the procession moved to the pupils’ infirmary where a handsome statue of our dear protectrice, St. Philomena was blessed.
October 20, 1891: The feast of Mater Admirabilis was preceded by a fervent novena. After Benediction, an instruction was given by Rev. Fr. Rosswinkel. This was followed by a procession to the Shrine of Mater Admirabilis where an act of consecration was read by a member from each class. The ceremony was touching, great fervor being displayed by all present.
Prayer to Mater Admirabilis
Under the pressure of over activity which at times consumes us, disturbs us, or scatters our energies in doing what is visible and accidental, let us come to our “Mater.” She is the Mother of the Invisible, and the Mother of the Essential.
Let us ask her to detach us, to free us from all that is not important, to lead us on, and fix our gaze upon the Invisible which her own eyes look upon: the Invisible Presence; the Invisible Life; the Invisible Action; the Invisible Love, all those things which are eternal values in us and the great realities of faith.
May she keep us throughout our busy and over-crowded days in the radiance of things that are not seen and firm as if we beheld them Invisible. In the midst of non-essentials which invite and often distract us, we run the risk of encumbering our beings and confusing our values. May she give us the right understanding of the Essential and a hunger for it.
One thing alone is necessary — the will of God and the work of His love. May Mater give us the singleness of vision so that we, too, may see the Invisible and Essential in all.
Marie-Therese de Lescure, RSCJ
Superior General, 1946-1958
Circular Letter, July 16, 1949
Today we are connected with Sacred Heart students, faculty and staff and alumni around the world who are celebrating Mater’s feast. As you know, Mater is present in all of our schools. If you visit another Sacred Heart school, you’ll find a statue, painting, stained glass window or other depiction of her.
sense of peace …
