eLumenate: Rose Hawthorne - Third Order

ATE
“Francie” was five years old when he died of
diphtheria. 14
Upon the death of her husband, George
Lathrop: “As I stood beside his body soon after
death, the beauty, the nobility and exquisite
gentleness of his life ... spoke plainly to me of
his virtues, and the welcome our Lord had
given him into His rest. My own soul was
trembling in the dark uncertainty of all unwor‐
thiness.” 15
Rose completed Memories of Hawthorne in Feb‐
ruary 1897. She closed her book by finishing
the preface: This is the explanation of my re‐
turn, in the company of the friends of my father
and mother, to an old garden, a familiar dis‐
course, and a circle of life that embraced so
much beauty. Toward the end of her life she
would write “ If there are any flowers left in
the garden of our Lives, let us gather them as a
gift to Jesus Christ although he does not beg for
them.” 16
In her appeal for help: In one Sunday paper
she wrote an article concerning the plight of the
cancerous poor and of the desperate need for
kindhearted women to work along with her.
ʺLet the poor, the patient, the destitute and
hopeless;ʹ she wrote, ʺreceive from our compas‐
sion what we would give to our own families if
we were really generous to them. Let the
woman who begs for care have comfort; and
bestow upon this representative of Christ a lit‐
tle gentle attention till she dies. This is all. Yet
it requires the sacrifice of oneʹs life. But that is
why Christ asked it and blesses with unending
reward the simple choice;ʹ The words moved
many young women to consider joining Rose. 17
lll
The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, spoke well
as to why individuals are promoted [for saint‐
hood]. Their lives witness the love of God to us
Fall 2012
who still are on the journey
to our heavenly home and
our life in the Trinity. They
show us that it can be done,
and in a sense cheer us on.
The Saint is an embodiment
of a particular light of the
Gospel. The Saints bring into focus another
piece of Christʹs message for us. 18
__________________
14 The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne 1900 – 2000
Centennial Celebration Booklet, Editions du Signe
15 Ibid.
16 The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne 1900 – 2000
Centennial Celebration Booklet, Editions du Signe
17 The Anthonian, St. Anthony Guild
18 Mother Marie Edward, O.P. “What does it matter that
the world know She is a Saint?” Hawthorne Happenings
(Winter 2002/2003)
Quotes by Rose Hawthorne
(Mother M. Alphonsa)
“I should like to feel that the hearts of those who
help the poor are warmed toward them.”
“Hope: to take the neediest class you know — both
in poverty and suffering — and put them in such a
condition that if our Lord knocked at the door I
should not be ashamed to show what I have done.
This is great Hope.”
Scammel Street Residence, New York City, 1896
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