Blessed Sacrament School in Providence, Rhode Island, is celebrating one hundred years!
In words of Principal William Sheehan, M.F.A., “for one hundred years, Blessed Sacrament School has provided a Catholic education to the children of working-class families in Providence and beyond. When the school opened in 1925, the Sisters Faithful Companions of Jesus educated immigrant, first- and second-generation children from Ireland and other European countries. Over the decades, Blessed Sacrament School families prospered, and working-class kids went on to college and beyond.”
In 1922 Bishop William Hickey of Providence, Rhode Island, saw the pressing need for parochial schools in his diocese. Since Father Doran of Blessed Sacrament Parish knew the Faithful Companions of Jesus when he was pastor in Gilbertville, Massachusetts, he invited them to Providence. On August 22, 1922, five sisters took up residence at 75 Andem Street. The FCJs undertook the religious instruction of 1,100 children who were attending public school. The sisters also took care of the church sacristy, trained altar servers, and made altar breads.
In 1924, Most Rev. William A. Hickey, D.D., Bishop of Providence, asked the Sisters Faithful Companions of Jesus if they would run the new Catholic school they were planning to build across from Blessed Sacrament Church.
The parish’s second pastor, Rev. William A. Doran, took steps for the building of that school, and in 1925, he oversaw construction of an 18-room structure opposite the rectory on Regent Avenue, equipping it with every necessary educational tool available at that time.
On September 13, 1925, the new Blessed Sacrament School opened with 454 children enrolled and ten FCJs on staff. Parish records indicate that the Faithful Companions of Jesus contributed as many as thirty sisters each year to the school for fifty years.
Today, the Faithful Companions of Jesus are still teaching the children at Blessed Sacrament School and they are still helping the school grow.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding, Blessed Sacrament School is planning a Gala celebration on Sunday, August 24 that will bring proud graduates together once again on Sunday, August 24 on the school grounds. One hundred years of memorabilia collected will be showcased throughout the event.
To learn more about Blessed Sacrament School’s anniversary celebration, visit https://blessedschoolpvd.org/100th-anniversary-celebration-committee.
Parts of this text have been adapted from The Rhode Island Catholic. Top image credit: Blessed Sacrament School
