A fond farewell to Sancta Maria in Ripa
“October 15, 1895 marked the Golden Jubilee of deceased Mother Caroline and the cornerstone laying at Sancta Maria in Ripa. The grayish-blue, highly polished granite cornerstone was placed in the northeast corner of the building and blessed. In his report, Father Abbelen (the Spiritual Director for School Sisters of Notre Dame at the time) acknowledged the difficulties of building the structure. He concluded that the motherhouse is a large, solid, beautiful, even though simple, building . . . The rich vegetation, the good air, the rural peace and quiet, broken only by the rattling of the trains at the foot of the hill and the splashing of the steamers which, especially at evening, traveled majestically back and forth over the Mississippi, like swimming palaces, at a distance of some 1,500 feet—everything worked together to draw forth the frequent cry, ‘A more beautiful place for the motherhouse we could not have found.’” *
School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) began ministering in St. Louis in 1858 and set their roots at Sancta Maria in Ripa in 1895. Throughout the decades, the familiar belltower has watched over the community in much the same way that the sisters have guided as teachers, spiritual directors and neighbors.
From an initial community of seven “pioneer” sisters, Sancta Maria in Ripa grew into one of the primary locations for SSND. The property once had its own post office, was home to the former Notre Dame College and witnessed thousands of candidates, postulants and novices journey through their initial formation to final vows and into the life of a professed SSND.
In recognition of changing times and the congregation’s changing needs, the difficult decision was made last year to list the Sancta Maria in Ripa property for sale. While no sale is currently pending, this decision has set into motion a necessary process of farewell— both in the practical matters of a move of this magnitude and in the emotion-filled realities of leaving a much-loved home.
In January, more than 100 sisters gathered for a “Ritual of Gratitude and Celebration” at Sancta Maria in Ripa. Together, they celebrated Mass in the chapel and embraced a full day of memories and recollections around their many experiences of community life and ministering from Ripa.
In March, sisters hosted two separate open house events to welcome associates, current and former staff, donors, family members and friends. Each day included a prayer service, reception and opportunity for guests to visit with sisters and tour the building.
Most sisters who had resided at Santa Maria in Ripa have now settled in new homes throughout the St. Louis area. Some have joined other SSND at The Sarah Community in nearby Bridgeton, while others have created their own smaller community groups in houses, apartments and even a former parish rectory. No matter the address, sisters will continue in their ministries and carry on the local SSND legacy as they always have.
The sale listing does not include the SSND cemetery, Notre Dame High School or the school’s soccer and softball fields. SSND continues to maintain business offices at Sancta Maria in Ripa for the time being, and donations and related correspondences can still be sent to the Ripa address as usual until further notice. As has been true in all other property sales, honoring the charism, values and mission of SSND throughout the process, and partnering with a buyer that also aligns on those same values, remains a priority focus.
*Passage from “Wisdom has built herself a house” by Sister Carol Marie Wildt.