Elizabeth Prout was born the daughter of a devout Anglican mother (Anne), and non- practicing Catholic Father (Edward.) She was born on September 2, 1820; and was baptized into the Church of England.
Later in life she was to help found the congregation of the sisters of the Passion and Cross. Elizabeth, who has been called a `Victorian Mother Teresa' was born in Shrewsbury in 1821 but became a nun in her early 20s.
A file of her life is being sent to the Vatican - the first stage in the canonisation process.
If this is approved, then officials will have to complete the next stage, which is to find proof of the two miracles that are attributed to her.
These are that two terminally ill people - a man suffering from cancer and a woman suffering from brain damage - are both said to have been cured after praying to Sister Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH'S EARLY YEARS
Little is known about Elizabeth's life from the age of eleven, when the brewery where her father worked as a cooper was closed down. We do know that as a child she attended Sunday school at a 12th Century Benedictine Monastery.
Sometime between 1843 and 1846, she became Catholic. By that time, the family was living in the vicinity of Aston Hall, where Italian Passionist Dominic Barberi (now Blessed Dominic) had established a mission.
Her desire to become a Catholic outraged her parents, because at that time Catholics were despised and blamed for many of societies ills. Her parents, consequently threw her out of their home.
She went for help to Fr Gaudentius Rossi, a passionist priest she knew. He had joined Fr Dominic Barberi in his mission to the poor. With Fr. Rossi's support she entered the convent of the Sisters of the Infant Jesus in Northampton,when she was 28 years old.
Within a few short months, it was discovered that she had a tubercular knee. The doctor felt the condition would make her an invalid for life. Fr Gaudentius Rossi, wondered what plans God might have for this fragile, yet fervent woman, because she received the news with such peaceful resignation.
Hearing of the illness, Elizabeth's parents welcomed her back to their home, but after two years,she was out of the house once more.
CARING FOR THE POOR AND DESTITUTE OF MANCHESTER.
Elizabeth had enjoyed teaching the children of officers at Northhampton, but now Fr Gaudentius advised Elizabeth to take a teaching post in a Catholic parish in Manchester. Accepting the suggestion, Elizabeth took on the task. It was a great culture shock; the industrialised City was filthy and famine ridden. Working conditions kept the people poor, uneducated and often intoxicated. Gin being one of the cheapest means of removing themselves from the harshness of life.
Fr.Gaudentius began to consider the possibility of a new kind of religious order. In a break with the traditions of religious life, young women without education or dowry who felt a call to religious life joined Elizabeth. Each sister would earn a living at the work she had been brought up to do, including in the mills. Elizabeth was asked to lead the first candidates. The began with about 30 companions who worked with the poor in Manchester. The companions not only educated, but cared for the sick, sheltered and fed the poor.
The harshness of the conditions resulted in only two of the original candidates remaining with Elizabeth, but in time numbers replenished and in 1852, on the Feast of the Presentation of Mary, Elizabeth and six companions received religious dress during a ceremony in St Chad's Church. The Institute was given the name of "The Catholic Sisters of the Holy Family".
The order continued their good works through many hardships. The whole community was struck by a bout of Typhoid fever, Early records report that:
Alone, Mother Mary Joseph cooked, did the cleaning, nursed the Sisters and rose during the night to attend to them.
Mother Mary (Elizabeth) continued her formation of the sisters, under the direction of Fr. Gaudentius, until his order sent him to work in the Americas. Passionist Father Ignatius Spencer (great-great-great uncle of the late Diana, Princess of Wales - also a convert - and whose cause for sainthood is also being considered.) now stepped into the role of directing the Sisters. His manner was gentle, encouraging and, sympathetic to the institute's limited means.
Mother Mary Joseph worked closely with Fr Ignatius to revise the Institute's Rule, so that it could be presented for approval in Rome.
Fr Ignatius presented the revised Rule to Rome. In May, 1863 temporary approval was granted for the canonical establishment of the Institute. On October 23 of the same year, the first General Chapter of the Sisters of the Holy Family was held. Mother Mary Joseph was now terminally ill. Even so,she was unanimously chosen as first Superior General of the Congregation.
On January 11, 1864 Mother Mary Joseph died peacefully at Sutton Convent. The evening Angelus was ringing and Fr Ignatius was present to assist her.
(Both Elizabeth Prout, and Ignatious Spencer died in the same year.)
A little more than ten years after Mother Mary Joseph's death, the Passionist Fathers allowed the name of the Institute to be changed to 'Sisters of the Cross and Passion'. With this, they also gave permission for sisters to wear the Passionist Sign. In 1887, Rome issued final approval of the Congregation's Rule.
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(For more on Passionist sisters, and Elizabeth Prout, see links bar.)
PRAYER
"O God, source of all life,
your servant Elizabeth Prout
responded to your call
by bringing together a new family
to welcome the poor
and the abandoned
and to keep alive
the memory of your love
for all your children, shown to us
in the Passion of your Son.
Give us the courage to follow
her example of living faith
and untiring love.
Through her intercession,
grant us the favour for which we pray...."
Postulator:
Fr. Paul Francis Spencer C.P.
To acknowledge favours received, through the intercessionof Elizabeth Prout, please write to
Sisters of the cross and passion, 458 Bury New Road
M7 4WE
England.PHOTOS: Prayer cards with thanks from Shrine of St. Dominic Barberi. St. Helens.
