Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory
Encyclopedia
Mother Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory (née Bridget Teresa McCrory) 21 January 1893-21 January 1984 was born in Mountjoy, County Tyrone
, Ireland
. She was a Roman Catholic nun who worked as an advocate for the impoverished elderly.
and at the age of nineteen, she left home to become a Little Sister of the Poor, a Roman Catholic congregation engaged in the care of the destitute aged. She made her novitiate in La Tour
, France
and after profession, she was sent to the United States
.
In 1926, Mother Angeline was appointed superior of a nursing home
of the Little Sisters of the Poor in the Bronx, New York
. During an annual retreat in 1927, she felt urged to reach out to do more for the aged for whom she cared. She felt that the European model of the care of the elderly and many of the customs in France
did not meet the needs of Americans. In addition, she felt that old age strikes all classes of people leaving them alone and frightened.
. The Cardinal encouraged her in her work and suggested that she expand her ministry to include the aged throughout the New York City area. Eventually, this need was recognized throughout the United States. In order to accomplish what she felt called to do, and with the blessing of the Cardinal, Mother Angeline and six other sisters withdrew from the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor and were granted permission from the Vatican
to begin a new community for the care of the aged incorporating Mother Angeline's ideals.
Thus, though the inspiration Mother Angeline received from the congregation dedicated to the aged, she was now able to further develop this needed apostolate with new methods. From the very start, the Carmelite Friars in New York took a deep interest in Mother Angeline and her companions. In 1931 the new community became affiliated with the great Order of Carmel and was henceforth known as the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm.
The Germantown, N.Y.-based Carmelite Sisters minister in 18 elder-care facilities around the country, plus one in Ireland.
On 21 January 1984, Mother Angeline Teresa died knowing that her congregation had grown beyond her expectations. She was fond of saying:
at St. Teresa's Motherhouse in Germantown
, NY.
and canonization
is being investigated in Rome. She is referred to as Servant of God
.
The Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey, formally opened a miracle investigation on May 18, 2009 to consider evidence of Mother Angeline's possible canonization.
In a ceremony at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski formally opened the Diocese of Metuchen's investigation into an alleged miracle being attributed to McCrory.
The diocesan investigation is the first phase a fact-finding phase of a church process designed to determine whether McCrory's intercession in Heaven resulted in a miracle on earth. Two verified miracles must be attributed to a deceased candidate for sainthood before he or she can be canonized.
The miracle being investigated at the Diocese of Metuchen is one of those reported miracles that has been deemed worthy of investigation by a Vatican designee, or Postulator, assigned to the case.
The miracle involves a family in the Diocese of Metuchen's general area who prayed to McCrory to intercede with God after their unborn child was diagnosed with a genetic abnormality. Randall said when the child was born, the defect was not present in the degree it had been expected.
Those decisions will be made by the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints
and that process could take years. If the miracle is verified, the Pope can then beatify McCrory, giving her the title of
"Blessed." If a second miracle is then attributed to her, she will be eligible for the title of "Saint."
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. She was a Roman Catholic nun who worked as an advocate for the impoverished elderly.
Early life
When she was seven years old, her family migrated to ScotlandScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and at the age of nineteen, she left home to become a Little Sister of the Poor, a Roman Catholic congregation engaged in the care of the destitute aged. She made her novitiate in La Tour
La Tour
-France:Several communes in France:* La Tour, Alpes-Maritimes, in the Alpes-Maritimes département* La Tour, Haute-Savoie, in the Haute-Savoie département* La Tour-Blanche, in the Dordogne département* La Tour-d'Aigues, in the Vaucluse département...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and after profession, she was sent to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
In 1926, Mother Angeline was appointed superior of a nursing home
Nursing home
A nursing home, convalescent home, skilled nursing unit , care home, rest home, or old people's home provides a type of care of residents: it is a place of residence for people who require constant nursing care and have significant deficiencies with activities of daily living...
of the Little Sisters of the Poor in the Bronx, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. During an annual retreat in 1927, she felt urged to reach out to do more for the aged for whom she cared. She felt that the European model of the care of the elderly and many of the customs in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
did not meet the needs of Americans. In addition, she felt that old age strikes all classes of people leaving them alone and frightened.
Christian Ministry
Being unable to effect any necessary changes in her present situation, Mother Angeline sought advice and counsel from Cardinal Patrick Joseph Hayes of New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The Cardinal encouraged her in her work and suggested that she expand her ministry to include the aged throughout the New York City area. Eventually, this need was recognized throughout the United States. In order to accomplish what she felt called to do, and with the blessing of the Cardinal, Mother Angeline and six other sisters withdrew from the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor and were granted permission from the Vatican
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
to begin a new community for the care of the aged incorporating Mother Angeline's ideals.
Thus, though the inspiration Mother Angeline received from the congregation dedicated to the aged, she was now able to further develop this needed apostolate with new methods. From the very start, the Carmelite Friars in New York took a deep interest in Mother Angeline and her companions. In 1931 the new community became affiliated with the great Order of Carmel and was henceforth known as the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm.
The Germantown, N.Y.-based Carmelite Sisters minister in 18 elder-care facilities around the country, plus one in Ireland.
On 21 January 1984, Mother Angeline Teresa died knowing that her congregation had grown beyond her expectations. She was fond of saying:
If you have to fail, let it be on the side of kindness. Be kinder than kindness itself to the elderly.
Death & Burial
Mother Angeline Teresa is buried in the congregation's cemeteryCemetery
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are buried. The term "cemetery" implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in the Western world are where the final ceremonies of death are observed...
at St. Teresa's Motherhouse in Germantown
Germantown
- Places :in the United States* Germantown, California, former name of Artois, California* Germantown, Connecticut* Germantown, Illinois* Germantown, Decatur County, Indiana...
, NY.
Canonization
Her cause for beatificationBeatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
and canonization
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
is being investigated in Rome. She is referred to as Servant of God
Servant of God
Servant of God is a title given to individuals by various religions, but in general the phrase is used to describe a person believed to be pious in his or her faith tradition. In the Catholic Church, it designates someone who is being investigated by the Church for possibly being recognized as a...
.
The Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey, formally opened a miracle investigation on May 18, 2009 to consider evidence of Mother Angeline's possible canonization.
In a ceremony at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski formally opened the Diocese of Metuchen's investigation into an alleged miracle being attributed to McCrory.
The diocesan investigation is the first phase a fact-finding phase of a church process designed to determine whether McCrory's intercession in Heaven resulted in a miracle on earth. Two verified miracles must be attributed to a deceased candidate for sainthood before he or she can be canonized.
The miracle being investigated at the Diocese of Metuchen is one of those reported miracles that has been deemed worthy of investigation by a Vatican designee, or Postulator, assigned to the case.
The miracle involves a family in the Diocese of Metuchen's general area who prayed to McCrory to intercede with God after their unborn child was diagnosed with a genetic abnormality. Randall said when the child was born, the defect was not present in the degree it had been expected.
Those decisions will be made by the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints
Congregation for the Causes of Saints
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints is the congregation of the Roman Curia which oversees the complex process that leads to the canonization of saints, passing through the steps of a declaration of "heroic virtues" and beatification...
and that process could take years. If the miracle is verified, the Pope can then beatify McCrory, giving her the title of
"Blessed." If a second miracle is then attributed to her, she will be eligible for the title of "Saint."