Our Catkolic Heritage in Texas
viously opened a novitiate in San Antonio, but it was discontinued in 1920 after a hurricane destroyed the buildings. 111 Tlze Society of St. Teresa of Jesus, I9IO. It was founded in Spain by the Reverend Henry de Osso Cervello of Tolesa on January 1, 1877. Within a quarter of a century the Society had grown from a handful of workers to more than six hundred. Primarily a teaching order, the mem- hers undertook whatever work of zeal presented itself. It has spread throughout Spain, Portugal, Africa, Mexico, South America, Italy, Cuba, and the United States. The Motherhouse is in Barcelona, Spain, but the Society has five provinces, each with its own novitiate.tu The American Province has its Novitiate of St. Francis de Sales in San Antonio, Texas. It comprises as its field of activity the United States, Mexico, and Cuba. Two Sisters came to Texas in 1910, with a letter of introduction to Reverend Ramon Pratt, Supervisor of the Mis- sionary priest of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in San Antonio and were immediately welcomed by Bishop Shaw, who was at the very moment wondering where he was going to find Sisters to teach in the new parish school of Our Lady of Guaradupe. It seemed a miraculous coincidence. Five Sisters were sent from Mexico on December 12, 1910, who were met two days later in San Antonio by Father Pratt and several other priests, among them Reverend Bernard Herrmann, O.M.I. Without cere- mony, Father Herrmann promptly asked them before they arrived at their new home, to which they were being conducted by a group of Catholic ladies, if they would come also to Uvalde and take charge of his school. 113 They were first housed in San Antonio in the former home of Bishop Shaw on Dwyer Avenue. The keys of their new residence were handed to them by the future Monsignor William W. Hume, the Bishop's secretary. The new school and Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe were blessed on September 5, 1911, and the Sisters took charge of the school the next day. Within two months, over two hundred children were enrolled. They con- tinued in charge until 1916. The same year of their arrival they also opened San Felipe's School in San Antonio, which they kept until 1914. Tt was not until 1913 that they were finally able to open St. Teresa's School in Uvalde, as previously requested by Father Herrmann. msummary based on data furnished the Author by Brother William Vessels, F.M.S., in letter of June 30, 1951. Cf. Catholic Directory, r956. mst. Teresa's Academy, The Society of St. Teresa of Jestis, 8-1 I (San Antonio, Texas, I 947). US/bid., 32.
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