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Central Library
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St. Louis, MO 63103

St. Louis Public Library, in conjunction with the Communicators for St. Louis Sisters, opens the new exhibit, "Catholic Sisters: The Spirit of St. Louis," in conjunction with Catholic Sisters Week, which runs annually from March 8 to 14.

The exhibit, which celebrates 200 years of Catholic Sisters' presence in St. Louis, is located on the Library's Third Floor and is free and open to the public.

The exhibit features the work of the Sisters through photos, display of habits, a German prayer book, a bell used to keep people at a distance when a patient suffered from smallpox, the original Rule of the School and Plan of Studies developed by Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, a trunk used while traveling on missions and much more.

"This exhibit offers a wonderful opportunity for the people of metropolitan St. Louis to celebrate with the Catholic Sisters, as well as to recall memories and the influence Sisters have had on their lives," said Sr. Judy Bell of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary. "For those not familiar with Catholic Sisters, the exhibit provides an educational forum that shows the impact women religious have had in the greater St. Louis area, meeting the needs of many people throughout these 200 years."

Catholic Sisters first arrived in the St. Louis in 1818. Over the past two centuries, Sisters have devoted their lives to God through a host of ministries.

CLICK HERE for more information

CLICK HERE to read the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article "Sister acts: 200 years ago, nuns became St. Louis pioneers"