The Franciscan Handmaids of the Most Pure Heart of Mary, one of only three orders of Black nuns in the United States, marked its centennial with a gala and benefit at the New York Academy of Medicine in Manhattan.
Inspired by Pope Francis to keep the order together, the Harlem-based order, best known for its work in educating children and feeding the poor, was preparing to phase out in 2014 because of economic hardships, a decline in interest in religious life by young Americans and an aging infirm membership is now looking forward to its next 100 years of service.
“The mission of the order has not yet ended,” said Sister Gertrude Lilly Ihenacho, who as congregation minister heads up the mostly Black order. “The spirit informed us to wake up and revive what is left before we die.”
In 1923, the group moved to Harlem at the request of Cardinal Patrick Hayes and launched one of the first preschool educational programs in New York, which went on to educate such notables as Rep. Charles B. Rangel and the late Kevin Lofton, president of the Catholic Health Association of America. The St. Benedict Day Nursery remains to carry on the legacy of excellence.
The FHM feeds more than 20,000 families annually at the St. Edward Food Pantry on Staten Island at Mt. Loretto, a center for Catholic Charities. The order was awarded the Kathy Goldman Beyond Food Award at the 15th annual Food Bank of New York Conference in 2006 for their efforts to address the hunger crisis.
Photos by Regina Fleming
The sisters also have led several preventative care medical missions to Nigeria servicing approximately 2,000 people per mission since 2000, provide clothing and Christmas gifts and toys to the needy and provide altar bread to many parishes in the Archdiocese of New York.
Inspired to embark on a course of revitalization, the order started thinking outside the box and endeavoring to take on new activities. They have since reached out not only to other parts of the United States to encourage others to join them in religious life but also to parts of Africa and the Caribbean, where several current sisters have ties.
The FHM now has six new sisters in formation (in training) and has expanded its day nursery and food pantry. They also opened a convent in the Archdiocese of Owerri in Nigeria.The sisters there do home visitation to the sick elderly, teach Catholic catechism to children and prepare Catholic couples for marriage in rural areas.
“We are moving on with our new youth initiative, where we work with young people who are vulnerable to help empower them,” stated Sister Gertrude Lilly Ihenacho. “We want them to realize that God loves them. We are going to work with them in their everyday life so we can help them reach actualization of whatever God has put them on this Earth to do. We are also focusing on our young adults that have desire to go to school and teen mothers that has no other place to go. We encourage them and take care of their kids for them to move forward.
“These are the youths we want to work with. And we also move on to give them supportive housing, whether it is supporting them with finances to move on to get their education and acquire skills because it’s what they need to be respectful and fulfilling citizens.”
Honorees at the gala included National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial, vice chairman and executive director of the Jazz Foundation (and Street News Founder) Wendy Oxenhorn, Rep. Rangel, National Action Network President and founder the Rev. Al Sharpton and Bishop Edward Kenneth Braxton of the Diocese of Belleville, Ill. Essence magazine Editor-in-Chief Emerita and founder and CEO of the National CARES Mentoring Movement Susan L. Taylor will present the Centennial Award to the Franciscan Handmaids of the Most Pure Heart of Mary at the event, which included performances by Tony and multiple Grammy Award-nominated artist Melba Moore and Broadway actress and singer Carmen Ruby Floyd, as well as special celebrity guest appearances. WNBC-TV anchor David Ushery hosted along with radio and television personality G. Keith Alexander as announcer.
”We are looking forward to celebrating these wonderful honorees who have provided important services to the community throughout the years,” said Sister Ihenacho.
“We are happy for their participation and stand revitalized in purpose, renewed in the Spirit and ready for the next century of service.”
Proceeds of the benefit will help the order provide scholarships to needy children to attend and revitalize the St. Benedict Day Nursery, which services children ages two to four and will help train the next generation of sisters.
“We are hoping a lot of people will come to the gala to show support because we have worked in this community for 100 years,” stated Sister Ihenacho. “The Lord has helped a lot of people through us. We are hoping a lot of people will come out and show support so that we can push forward with these initiatives.”
Tickets to the 6 p.m. Centennial Gala range from $150 to $1,000 for special seating and access to all events of the evening, which include a pre-reception, celebration program, dinner and dessert reception. Sponsorship packages are available from $10,000 to $100,000.
The New York Academy of Medicine Conference Center is located at 1216 Fifth Ave., between 102nd and 103rd streets, in East Harlem. For tickets and more information, visit www.passionforsocialjustice.com or email FHMCentennial@gmail.com.