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In Memory

Sister M. Aloysius Smith, IHM

August 19, 1881 – November 5, 1919

Sister M. Aloysius Smith, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary died on Wednesday, November 5, 1919 in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

She was born on August 19, 1881 in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, and given the name Helen. She was the daugther of of the late Peter Paul and Mary C. Griffin Smith. She entered the IHM Congregation on August 15, 1902, received the religious habit on December 27, 1902, and made profession of her vows on December 8, 1904.

Sister Aloysius was a talented musician, and served at the IHM Motherhouse on the grounds of Marywood College in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Katherine Elizabeth.

She is surived by a brother, and four sisters.

Interment will be at the Marywood College Cemetery, on the grounds of Marywood College in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

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.


“The first reception and profession held in the new mother house took place during the Christmas-tide. Three postulants. Miss Helen Smith as Sister M. Aloysius; Miss Mary McMahon as Sister M. Jamesina; and Miss Blanche Lavin as Sister M. Natalie received the holy habit. Two novices. Sister M. Nepomucene and Sister M. Redempta pronounced their holy vows. Twice a year since then the chapel of Mount Saint Mary’s has been the scene of a like ceremony with ever-increasing bands of postulants and novices.”

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. 289


“Sister M. Aloysius Smith, who died a month after Sister Celestine, belonged to the first band of novices to be received at Mount Saint Mary’s. After her profession Sister Aloysius was retained at the motherhouse and did much to build up the music conservatory at Mount Saint Mary’s. She was a skillful musician and she treasured her gift, because it was for her a medium through which her soul held communion with her God. Her last service was given at the midnight Mass of Christmas. It was an effort for her, but those who were present will not soon forget her triumphal strains in the “Adeste Fidelis” nor her sweetly solemn “Noel.” When she had finished she turned sorrowfully away from the beautiful organ, fully realizing that she would never play it again. For nearly a year she bore her sufferings in patience, and finally, when death came, it left upon her a look of peaceful triumph that set itself like a seal upon her beautiful features, telling of victory won and death without its sting.”

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. 487, 488

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