• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Effie Caldarola
          • John Garvey
          • Father Ed Dougherty, M.M.
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Oblate Sister of Providence Virginie Fish

Mass for Mother Lange celebrates her sainthood cause

January 17, 2008
By Chaz Muth
Filed Under: Local News, News

To know the background of Mother Mary Lange was to appreciate the atmosphere May 8 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore, where Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien led a Mass to pray for her sainthood.

A native of Haiti, Mother Lange in the early 19th century was a co-foundress of the Oblate Sisters of Providence, the first order established by women of African descent.

The Oblate Sisters, the Mother Mary Lange Guild and the Knights of Peter Claver Auxiliary Court 323 were among the many worshipers at the basilica, where Archbishop O’Brien referenced the Book of Revelation and “the demolition of walls built by prejudice and intolerance.”

Archbishop O’Brien described her history and commitment to the Catholic faith, children, families and God

“Mother Lange’s life is so relevant for contemporary times and circumstances,” he said. “Her Haitian family took refuge in Cuba during political turmoil. At age 29 she sought peace and security in the United States, settling here in Baltimore, an immigrant and refugee, but well educated and of some financial means.

“A black woman in a slave state,” he continued, “the heart of Elizabeth Lange went out to many refugee children of color needing education. With a handful of collaborators, she spent all her resources in housing and educating the young.”

Mother Lange opened what is known today as St. Frances Academy.

The archbishop also referenced the origin of her order.

“Incalculable are the number of poor and minority, young and old, who have been educated, counseled, housed and fed by our Oblate Sisters of Providence from then, 1829, to now, and in the face of unprecedented and unimaginable obstacles even to this day.

“Their trust,” he continued, “in Divine Providence has never wavered, for they continue to be inspired by, and to inspire others, by that vision of the heavenly Jerusalem come down from heaven where, with their witness and ministry, the Lord is breaking down the barriers that separate, and making all things new.”

In the spirit of Mother’s Day, the archbishop celebrated and encouraged Catholic women and mothers of today to walk in Mother Lange’s footsteps.

“It is fitting that on this Mother’s Day, we recall the extraordinary love of Mother Mary Lange and in praying for those high honors for her that only our Church can bestow, pray for all our mothers present who welcome the love of God into their hearts, and into their homes.”

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Chaz Muth

Catholic News Service is a leading agency for religious news. Its mission is to report fully, fairly and freely on the involvement of the church in the world today.

View all posts from this author

For the latest news delivered twice a week via email or text message, sign up to receive our free enewsletter.

| MOST POPULAR |

  • Movie Review: ‘Padre Pio’
  • Assault outside Planned Parenthood office leaves pregnancy center employees shaken
  • Missionary of mercy priest: ‘Be Christ to all people’ in a world ‘hungry for the Word’
  • ‘God’s Scribe’: Father Breighner retires popular column after more than 50 years
  • Bishop Victor Galeone, former Archdiocese of Baltimore priest and bishop of St. Augustine, dies at 87

| Latest Local News |

‘God’s Scribe’: Father Breighner retires popular column after more than 50 years

Bishop Victor Galeone, former Archdiocese of Baltimore priest and bishop of St. Augustine, dies at 87

Assault outside Planned Parenthood office leaves pregnancy center employees shaken

| Latest World News |

Dodgers’ faith night ‘not enough’ to address controversy over LGBTQ+ group, anti-Catholic concerns

Nevada’s Catholic governor who campaigned as ‘pro-life’ signs some abortion protections into law

Pope names Cardinal Farrell next head of Vatican City high court

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Dodgers’ faith night ‘not enough’ to address controversy over LGBTQ+ group, anti-Catholic concerns
  • Last week, I got to just be Mom
  • Nevada’s Catholic governor who campaigned as ‘pro-life’ signs some abortion protections into law
  • Pope names Cardinal Farrell next head of Vatican City high court
  • Senate approves House-passed debt ceiling deal, avoiding default
  • Profit-at-all-costs is not a good business model, pope says
  • Farewell and thank you
  • ‘God’s Scribe’: Father Breighner retires popular column after more than 50 years
  • Expertos esperan avances en salud, discapacidad y ministerio hispano en la reunión de junio de los obispos de EE.UU.

Search

Membership

Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2023 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED