When I first found the Dehey tome, I had been Catholic perhaps 1.5 years. I knew that four great motherhouses were historically situated in the archdiocese in which I resided. I didn't know how they were different. I attended a church conducted by the Dominican Friars. They wore white, sometimes with black. I learned that there was a Discalced Carmelite monastery in the same city. They looked like St Therese the Little Flower, and prayed all the time.
However, I did not understand the concept of spirituality. Dehey was more of a picture book for me.
So, with what seems to be slight embarrassment, I present this post regarding the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In my three decades of promoting vocations, I never realized that they are Redemptorist in spirituality, with a good dose of Teresian Carmelite.
They were also co-founded by the former superior of the Oblates Sisters of Providence, the first congregation by and for women of color in the world. The foundress would eventually be sent into exile, over a jurisdictional dispute. Despite wearing the habit of the Canadian Grey Nuns for 17 years, she remained an IHM at heart. The last seven years of her life would be spent with the congregation she founded.
The founding priest ran afoul of superiors, supposedly, and ended up a Cistercian monk in France. He was able to meet with the Sisters again just before his death.
I also found a source (WikiWand) that said that the IHMs never spoke of their foundress because she was a woman of color - until recently.
Scranton's website seems to have the best explanation of the founders:
http://www.sistersofihm.org/who-we-are/ihm-history/founders.htmlI
Immaculata includes the reference to St Teresa of Avila:
https://ihmimmaculata.org/ihm-spirituality/patrons/
The IHMs of both Monroe and Scranton suffered disastrous fires, which is covered with the links below.
Monroe, MI:
Building shown in Dehey:
(Scroll down to first St Mary's Academy picture):
https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/sisters-remember-great-sheets-of-fire-blowing-past-during-infamous-1929-st-marys-academy-blaze
***Apparently, Dehey's book was going to press when St Mary's Academy burned down.***
Unable to find a picture of the "St Mary's Novitiate" in the book.
Motherhouse, but not the building shown in Dehey:
Incredible, sustainable renovation:
https://ihmsisters.org/living-justly/sustainable-community/renovation/
St Mary's Church Complex Historic District, Monroe:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Mary%27s_Church_Complex_Historic_District_(Monroe,_Michigan)
Immaculata, PA:
None of Immaculata's buildings were shown in Dehey.
Motherhouse:
https://ihmimmaculata.org/mission-ministry/camilla-hall/
Scranton, PA:
Building shown in Dehey:
(Burned down 50 Years ago):
http://www.sistersofihm.org/who-we-are/ihm-motherhouse
Vocational Links:
Monroe:
https://ihmsisters.org/joining-the-mission/vowed-membership/formation-process__trashed/
Immaculata:
https://www.ihmvocations.com/
Scranton:
http://www.sistersofihm.org/what-you-can-do/
