Location
Official nameMount St. Mary’s Abbey
Number27
Address300 Arnold Street, Wrentham, United States
Contact Information
Telephone[1] (508) 528-1282
Community emailsisters@msmabbey.org
Websitewww.msmabbey.org
SuperiorMother Sofia Millican, Abbess 2019-2031
Other Information
Juridical statusAbbey
DioceseArchidioecesis Bostoniensis (Boston)
OCSO regionUSA
OriginsFounded by Glencairn in 1949; erected an abbey in 1950.
History
- 1949: On 1 October 14 nuns from Ireland arrive, to make the first foundation of Cistercian nuns in the United States. 21 November, ceremony to establish monastic enclosure, by the archbishop of Boston, Richard J. Cushing. 8 December: first perpetual profession: M. M. Michael Howe.
- 1950, 15 May: death of the mistress of novices, M. M. St. John. 10 November: change of stability from Glencairn to Mt. St. Mary’s, Wrentham. 13 November: election of R.M. Mary Bernard O’Donnell as the first abbess of Mount Saint Mary’s.
- 1955 the founders return to Glencairn.
- 1960 general chapter: a foundation is authorized for Argentina; it was never realized.
Father immediateSpencer
Lay associatesCistercian Friends of Mt. St. Mary’s Abbey
Past superiors
- Bernard O’DONNELL — Superior — 01/10/1949 – 13/11/1950
- Bernard O’DONNELL — Abbess — 13/11/1950 – 06/05/1952
- Angela NORTON — Abbess — 03/09/1952 – 14/01/1986
- Agnes DAY — Abbess — 21/03/1986 – 05/05/2008
- Maureen McCABE— Abbess — 2008 – 2019
Work/incomeTrappistine Quality Candy; small farm (raising of heifers)
Guest facilitiesAbbey Retreat house : 3 rooms (4 persons) ; small apartment; McMahon Retreat House: 9 rooms (12 persons), dining room, meeting room
TransportationStation : Providence, Rhode Island. Airport : Providence or Boston.
FoundationsMississippi (1964), Santa Rita (1972), Crozet (1987)
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