Sister M. Agatha Griffin, IHM
January 1, 1832 – May 30, 1890
Sister M. Agatha Griffin, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Friday, May 30, 1890 at St. Mary’s Convent in the Providence section of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Of Irish descent, she was born in Canada in 1832, she was given the name Julia. She grew up in Mauch Chunk (now known as Jim Thorpe), Pennsylvania. She entered the IHM Congregation at St. Joseph’s Convent in Susquehanna, PA, in April 1859, received the religious habit on July 24, 1859, and made profession of her vows on July 13, 1860.
Sister Agatha served as a teacher at the following schools: St. John Parochial School in Susquehanna, PA, for fourteen years; St. John’s Academy in Pittston, PA (beginning in 1864); and Holy Rosary School in Scranton, PA, from 1882 to 1890.
The funeral cortege was very large, consisting of 12 carriages appropriated to the Sisters. The funeral will be held on Monday, June 2 at 10:00 a.m., followed by interment at Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Friends may call on Sunday afternoon and evening.
Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509.
“Sister Agatha was appointed Mistress of Novices in 1861, but dreading the responsibility of this office, she applied to Right Revered Bishop Wood for a release from it, which he granted. She was then sent to St. Alphonsus Convent in Susquehanna Depot, where she remained until 1867. She then went to St. Joachim’s Convent, Frankford, and in 1868 to Reading. In 1870, she went to St. John’s Convent, Pittston, Pennsylvania. Being in the Scranton section at the time of the division of the dioceses, she remained there until her death on May 30, 1890. Our dear sister was so remarkable for her strict observance of religious discipline that her name is revered as that of Saint.” (from the records of the Sisters of IHM in Immaculata, PA, January 12, 1940)
“As in most cases Saint Joseph’s was nearer than Monroe, many postulants were received at Saint Joseph’s. Soon a novitiate was opened at the latter place. The first reception and profession took place at Saint Joseph’s, July 24, 1859. It was held in the chapel of the convent. The Right Reverend Bishop Neumann presided at the ceremony. He was assisted by Reverend Father O’Reilly, Reverend Father Fox, and Reverend Father Monaghan. The following young ladies received the habit: Miss Mary Shaughnessy, Friendsville, Pa., in religion, Sister Mary Joseph; Miss Mary Hogan, New York, Sister Mary Augustine; Miss Julia Griffin, Mauch Chunk, Pa., Sister M. Agatha; Miss Elizabeth Lappin, New York, Sister M. Teresa; Miss Henrietta Piston, Philadelphia, Sister M. Nepomucene; Miss Elizabeth Flynn, Philadelphia, Sister M. Bernard; Miss Catherine Eishein, Philadelphia, Sister M. Alphonsa. Two novices who had made their novitiate were professed. They were Sister M. Ignatia and Sister M. Clara.”
Excerpted from The Sisters of the I.H.M.: The Story of The Founding of The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Their Work In The Scranton Diocese by Sister M. Immaculata Gillespie, IHM, P.J. Kenedy & Sons, NY, 1921, p. 65
“Connected with Holy Rosary School for some years was a teacher, Sister Agatha, who by popular acclamation is a saint. At Holy Rosary, on May 30, 1890, she went to her reward. Sister M. Agatha was born in Canada in 1832. During her girlhood days, her family moved to Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, and it was from there that she entered the novitiate at Saint Joseph’s in April, 1859. She must have been remarkable for sanctity even then, for her confessor in recommending her said: “I am entrusting to the care of the Immaculate Heart a perfect jewel.” Sister Agatha became the
model of the novitiate, and after her profession was appointed by the Right Reverend Bishop Wood as mistress of novices. Her humility took alarm and she immediately wrote a letter begging to be released from the office. No doubt her love of retirement and her desire for self-effacement prompted the step. Whatever her reasons were, her request was granted and she was assured that she would not be asked to hold office in the future in the community. Later in life she seems to have experienced some regret for not having accepted the charge without demur for whenever others
in like circumstances sought her advice she counselled them to submit entirely to the will of their superior.
From the very day of her entrance into religion, she began the perfect observance of rule and for thirty-two years, until her death, she was not known to have violated the smallest detail of conventual observance. This testimony is borne by Sisters who had lived with her for years in the closest intimacy. Some of these had been her pupils in school; had been taught by her in the normal school of the novitiate and afterwards had been associated with her in the works of the community. All had ample opportunity to observe her closely and all concur in saying that Sister Agatha was a living exemplar of how the rule should be kept. Hers was not a narrow observance of the letter of the rule; letter perfection is easy of attainment and is a deceptive kind of perfection. Sister Agatha conducted herself at all times with the true liberty of the children of God and had no hesitation in setting aside a rule when the higher law of charity bade her go to the assistance of her neighbor. Her silence, spirit of recollection and close union with God made itself felt, but was never oppressive. Her manner was gracious and winning and she was always easy of approach. She had a high idea of her vocation as a religious teacher and looked upon the faithful fulfillment of her duties in the classroom as part of the perfection to which she was bound to aspire. So well did she impress her students with a high sense of duty that it was almost unheard of that any ever appeared for recitation with imperfect lessons.
Sister Agatha taught for fourteen years in Saint Joseph’s, Susquehanna. During that time she did not miss a day. It was a remarkable record in those
early days of extreme difficulties, and Sister was quite worn out with hardships and austerities. One who succeeded her in the class room said: ‘^I was placed in charge of Sister Agatha’s class after she left Saint John’s. It is not too much to say that the class taught me what a religious teacher, imbued with the spirit of her holy vocation, is capable of effecting in the lives of her pupils. Those girls were as lively and fun-loving as any of their age, but their self-control was well-nigh perfect, while their sense of duty, their respect, and reverence for everything holy often put me to shame. Sister Agatha was a builder unto eternity.
The normal school of the novitiate was under her care for a time. Here it was, perhaps, that her work told most effectually. While teaching the novices she at the same time taught them how to teach. In her they found a model whom they could safely imitate. Her confessor. Father O’Reilly, who had known her for years, said: “There is but one Sister Agatha.” Among the Sisters there are many who invoke her daily.”
Excerpted from The Sisters of the I.H.M.: The Story of The Founding of The Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Their Work In The Scranton Diocese by Sister M. Immaculata Gillespie, IHM, P.J. Kenedy & Sons, NY, 1921, pgs. 176 -178
“Sister Agatha was appointed Mistress of Novices in 1861, but dreading the responsibility of this office, she applied to Right Revered Bishop Wood for a release from it, which he granted. She was then sent to St. Alphonsus Convent in Susquehanna Depot, where she remained until 1867. She then went to St. Joachim’s Convent, Frankford, and in 1868 to Reading. In 1870, she went to St. John’s Convent, Pittston, Pennsylvania. Being in the Scranton section at the time of the division of the dioceses, she remained there until her death on May 30, 1890. Our dear sister was so remarkable for her strict observance of religious discipline that her name is revered as that of Saint.” (from the records of the Sisters of IHM in Immaculata, PA, January 12, 1940)
Sr M. Agatha Griffin (1832-1890) – Find A Grave Memorial
Sister Agatha, of the Church of the Holy Rosary, of Providence, died at 6:30 o’clock last evening. The funeral services will be held on Monday morning at 10 o’clock. Interment will be made In Hyde Park Catholic cemetery.
Publication: The Scranton Republican Location: Scranton, Pennsylvania Issue Date: Saturday, May 31, 1890 Page: Page 5
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