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In the early 20th century, with the rise of Catholic higher education in America, many religious orders sought to advance the higher education of their members. The Sisters of Mercy were one of these religious orders who desired to see their sisters receive college degrees. Rather than send her sisters to the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., the Mother Provincial of the Sisters of Mercy, Mother Mary Matthew Doyle, arranged through Bishop William A. Hickey to have one of the Dominicans at Providence College offer college courses to the sisters at St. Xavier's during the summer. As a result, in 1926, nine Sisters of Mercy, along with two sisters of the Dominican Order, received their degrees from Providence College, the first sisters to do so. Mother Mary Matthew Doyle was also one of the first degree recipients of this unique initiative.
In the ensuing years, hundreds of nuns from dozens of religious orders attended Providence College for these classes. These classes, however, were loosely organized, but in the summer of 1948, the Dominican Fathers at Providence College formalized the program by opening the School of Sacred Theology for Sisters. This program was initiated by the Very Rev. Robert J. Slavin, then President of Providence College, and the Rev. George Q. Friel, O.P. was its first Director. The teaching staff was composed of distinguished theologians and biblical scholars of the Province of St. Joseph.
The purpose of the school, as stated in one of the early brochures, was to deepen the sister’s knowledge of the revealed truth and to enable them to instill into their students a better knowledge of things divine and human. The core curriculum centered on the Bible and the Summa Theogiae of St. Thomas. These courses were supplemented by coursework in Church History and Cannon Law. In the first summer, 110 sisters from thirty-one different motherhouses enrolled in the program.
In the ensuing years, hundreds of nuns from dozens of religious orders attended Providence College for these classes. These classes, however, were loosely organized, but in the summer of 1948, the Dominican Fathers at Providence College formalized the program by opening the School of Sacred Theology for Sisters. This program was initiated by the Very Rev. Robert J. Slavin, then President of Providence College, and the Rev. George Q. Friel, O.P. was its first Director. The teaching staff was composed of distinguished theologians and biblical scholars of the Province of St. Joseph.
The purpose of the school, as stated in one of the early brochures, was to deepen the sister’s knowledge of the revealed truth and to enable them to instill into their students a better knowledge of things divine and human. The core curriculum centered on the Bible and the Summa Theogiae of St. Thomas. These courses were supplemented by coursework in Church History and Cannon Law. In the first summer, 110 sisters from thirty-one different motherhouses enrolled in the program.
TITLE | TYPE | DATE CREATED | COLLECTION(S) | DESCRIPTION |
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152 Sisters Study "Summa Theologica" | Image | 1949 | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | News article reporting on the first enrolled class of the Summer School of Theology. |
45 Nuns Get Certificates | Image | 1960-08-07 | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | A news article reporting on the 1960 graduation ceremonies held by the Summer School of Sacred Theol… |
61 Nuns Win Degrees | Image | 1954-08-06 | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | A news article with an image reporting on the 1954 graduation ceremonies of the Summer School of Sac… |
First Sister Theologians | Image | 1950-08-17 | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | A news article reporting on the Papal Blessing given upon the Summer School of Sacred Theology and i… |
Graduation articles | Image | 1966-08-01 | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | Three short articles reporting on the graduation exercises of 1966. |
Nun to Note 50th Jubilee | Image | 1968 | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | A news article reporting on the 50th Jubilee of profession by Sister Mary Martina Conley, R.S.M. |
Nuns Attend Summer | Image | 1954-07-18 | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | A news article discussing the 1954 session of the Summer School of Sacred Theology. |
Preparing comprehensives... | Image | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | An image with text identifying a group of sisters preparing for exams at the Summer School of Theolo… | |
Providence College Exercises | Image | 1958-08-07 | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | An image depicting the Very Rev. Robert J. Slavin, O.P. presenting degrees at the 1958 closing exerc… |
Providence Visitor article about his Eminence Mario Luigi Cardinal Ciappi, O. P. | Digital Document | 1977-08-11 | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | Cardinal Ciappi, O.P., who served as the personal theologian to three Popes, was invited in 1977 to… |
School is 2nd Oldest | Image | 1967 | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | A short article discussing the Summer School of Theology and that the school is the second oldest of… |
The Flying Nun | Image | 1968 | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | Image of Sister Mary Magdalen McEvoy, O.P. riding a motorcycle. |
The Pilot Clipping Regarding the Visit of his Eminence Mario Luigi Cardinal Ciappi, O. P. | Digital Document | 1977-08-26 | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | Cardinal Ciappi, O.P., who served as the personal theologian to three Popes, was invited in 1977 to… |
Theologian to 3 Popes Given PC Degree | Digital Document | 1977-08-05 | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | Cardinal Ciappi, O.P., who served as the personal theologian to three Popes, was invited in 1977 to… |
Thirteen Sisters | Image | 1955-08-11 | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | A photo article of Very Rev. Robert J. Slavin, O.P. presenting degrees for the 1955 graduation cerem… |
Two articles regarding the honorary degree given to his Eminence Mario Luigi Cardinal Ciappi, O. P. | Digital Document | 1977-08 | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | Cardinal Ciappi, O.P., who served as the personal theologian to three Popes, was invited in 1977 to… |
With 'er 'ead tucked underneath 'er arm... | Image | 1968-07 | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | An image of Sister Henry Mary Trauscht, O.P. presenting a dramatic rendition of 'Ann Boleyn.… |
Woonsocket Welcomes Vatican Cardinal Ciappi | Digital Document | 1977 | Providence College Summer School of Sacred Theology | When Cardinal Ciappi came to Providence College he also received an invitation for a reception from… |