Carmelite Sisters of the Aged and Infirm Return to the Foundress’ Hometown in Scotland
Six Carmelite Sisters and Father Mario Esposito, O. Carm., the vice-postulator for the Cause of Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa, traveled to Mossend, Scotland to attend an unveiling of the Venerable's statue. The event was hosted by the Holy Family Parish in Mossend, North Lanarkshire, Scotland, the home parish of Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa.
Although Mother Angeline was born in Northern Ireland in 1893, her family immigrated to Carfin, Scotland when she was seven years old. She became a Little Sister of the Poor, caring for the aged poor. After profession, she was sent to the United States of America and soon began adopting a more American way of serving the elderly of various backgrounds. With the blessing of the Cardinal Archbishop of New York, Mother Angeline and six other sisters withdrew from the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor and on September 3, 1929, began a new Congregation. Two years later the new Congregation became affiliated with the Carmelite Order and became known as “Carmelite Sisters of the Aged and Infirm.” Her work for the Church was recognized by Pope John XXII when she received the Pro Ecclesiae Award and the Benemerenti Award by Pope Paul VI. Mother Angeline died in January 1984.
Unfortunately, the statue was delayed in customs and the other planned ceremonies went ahead as planned. These included celebrating Mass at the Venerable’s home parish of Holy Family with the local bishop, Joseph Toal as celebrant, a visit the house where Venerable Mother Angeline lived, and to explore the areas— “to walk in the footsteps of their Foundress”— is a quote from the Congregation’s homepage, proclaiming the days in Scotland were “a great grace and gift to the Congregation.”
The celebration of the Mass on June 23 was a gathering of many. Besides Bishop Toal and the sisters from the USA including Mother General Mary Rose Heery, members of the Mother Angeline Society Pilgrims came from Ireland, and relatives of the Venerable.
The sister humorously expressed the hope that “there might just be another opportunity in the future to visit Mossend again and to see that much awaited statue!
Today the sisters have 18 residences in the United States and Ireland. There are 122 professed sisters. The headquarters is in Germantown, New York.
You Tube Interview with the Carmelites who traveled to Ven. Mother Angeline’s hometown (Sancta Familia Media).
Story of Mother Angeline (EWTN).