0111· Catlzolic Heritage in Texas
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The Brothers of Mary were also responsible for the establishment of the San Fernando Cathedral School, opened on October 3, 1888, that grew from a one-teacher school to the parish school it is today. Their efforts extended to Victoria, Texas, where in 1899 they were offered St. Joseph's School for Boys, originally founded· by Father Augus- tine Gardet, Pastor of St. Mary's, in 1868. They were unable to accept the offer until 1906. The crowning achievement of the Brothers of Mary in San Antonio was the establishment of Central Catholic High School 011 North St. Mary's Street, opened to the students of old St. Mary's Academy in January, 1923. The educational service rendered by this re- markable Society to the youth of San Antonio is inestimable. Congregation of tlie Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament in Texas, 1852. This ancient order, founded by saintly Mother Jeanne Chezard de Matel in France in 1625, came to Texas in 1852 at the request of Bishop Odin. After visiting numerous religious communities of women in France to solicit Sisters to teach the neglected children of Texas, he came to the convent of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament in Lyons, France, and in despair said to the superioress, "I cannot find re- ligious willing to go and work in that part of His vineyard which the Lord has committed to my care.... Must I receive nothing but refusal?" The Mother Superior could not remain indifferent. The request was granted. On March 18 of that year, together with a band of missionary Priests, Brothers, and seminarians for Texas, sailed four Sisters of the Convent of Lyons for the distant land. They were Sisters St. Claire Valentine, Ange Barre, Ephrem Satin, and Dominic Ravier. They landed in New Orleans on May I I and were taken to the Convent of the Ursulines to await there the arrival of Bishop Odin. On June 20, 1852, the Bishop came and immediately arranged to take the Sisters to Galveston, where they arrived on June 29 and were housed with the Ursulines. There they stayed until the end of the year, learning English and Spanish before they again sailed for Brownsville, Texas, at the mouth of the Rio Grande 011 the Mexican border to make their first foundation. 37 They were accom- panied by three pioneer Oblates, Fathers Verdet, Keralum, and Gaye. Brownsville was a pioneer town that had just been incorporated. The Sisters found lodging in a small one-story warehouse, more like a barn, whose door they had to tie with their apron strings while waiting for a 37 Elinor Tong Dehey, Reli.r:ious Orders of Women in tl1e U11ited States, 541; Sister Mary Xavier Holworthy, Diamonds for t/,4 King, 12-14.
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