Nuns of the Battlefield Memorial Centennial Rededication

Last month marked the 100th anniversary of the Nuns of the Battlefield Memorial dedication in Washington, D.C. Though I was unable to attend the rededication ceremony on September 21, I stopped by the memorial a week later to check out the memorial and the new interpretive sign next to it.

The memorial is located at the intersection of Rhode Island Avenue and M Street, just across the street from the Cathedral of St. Mathew the Apostle. It was the brainchild of Ellen Ryan Jolly, a leader in the Ancient Order of Hibernians (an Irish Catholic fraternal organization) who grew up hearing the stories of brave Catholic nuns who ministered to sick and dying soldiers on Civil War battlefields.

Irish immigrant and sculptor Jerome Connor designed the memorial. Two life-size statues depicting the angels of Patriotism and Peace flank the bas relief. On the left, Patriotism sits with a helmet and shield in hand, ready to guard against any threat. And Peace sits complacently on the right, wearing a traditional religious veil.

The Nuns of the Battlefield Memorial was formally dedicated on September 20, 1924 before a crowd of thousands, including government and Catholic officials, women religious, and laypeople. One hundred years later, a modest crowd descended upon the memorial for its rededication, which included a Mass of rededication and blessing led by Cardinal Wilton Gregory and a key-note address by Sr. Kathleen Szpila. Also in attendance were Jacqueline Jolly, the great-granddaughter of Ellen Ryan Jolly, and Marilyn Madigan, the immediate past president of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians.

To learn more about the Nuns of the Battlefield Memorial, check out this post.