Mother M. Augusta and the Sisters of the Holy Cross
Women of Charity > Community
Mother M. Augusta was born in 1830 as Ann Amanda Anderson in Alexandria, Virginia. Her mother died when she was 4 years old. She was raised by her aunt near Lancaster, Ohio. Amanda’s aunt was a devout Catholic, and it was in her care that Amanda grew to love Catholicism and service. In 1854 Amanda entered the Holy Cross Congregation in Notre Dame, Indiana, receiving the religious name of Sister Mary Augusta. After serving as a teacher in Chicago and Morris Illinois, she was asked to serve as nurse during the Civil War. In 1875 Mother Augusta responded to an appeal from Father Lawrence Scanlon, Bishop in the Salt Lake/Ogden area, to establish a school and a hospital for parishioners and others in the Utah territory. Mother Augusta and the Sisters of the Holy Cross accepted the call to serve. Sister Augusta along with Sister Raymond Sullivan arrived in Utah late May 1875. Within one week’s time they had plans drawn for the new school and set out to raise funds. By September of that same year, the Saint Mary’s Academy was ready to open with over 100 students enrolled. This school was the foundation of Saint Mary’s of the Wasatch. In October of that same year Mother Augusta began the work of setting up a hospital. Before the end of 1875, a small hospital of 12 beds was in operation, often filled to capacity and overflowing. This small beginning was the ground work of what would eventually become Holy Cross Hospital. While Mother Augusta left Utah in 1878, the Sisters of the Holy Cross remained and continued serving the people of Utah. Now with nearly 150 years of service, the Sisters of the Holy Cross serve through the Holy Cross Ministry, addressing the needs of the community in health care, legal immigration programs and education.
Saint Mary’s Academy, Salt Lake City, UT, abt. 1920. Mother Augusta and the Sisters of the Holy Cross.
Holy Cross Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT, abt. 1920. Mother Augusta and the Sisters of the Holy Cross
http://www.icatholic.org/article/a-tribute-to-mother-augusta-csc-79511414
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/500627/INDUSTRIOUS-SISTER-AUGUSTA-WAS-SURPRISE-TO-UTAHNS.html
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/108562036/ann-amanda-anderson/photo
