The Sisters of Charity of New York (SCNY) is a well-known sisterhood. It has a long history. The religious women spent many years as full-time caregivers for sick townspeople. They also looked after the homeless and poor, children without parental care and anyone else who turned to them for help. Serving and caring for the citizens have been the primary goals of SCNY since the 17th century. SCNY’s history begins in a small French village. There, the community of its predecessors, the Daughters of Charity, was founded. Learn more at newyorka.
History of SCNY
The order’s history dates back to the 17th century. It was formed in France in the 1630s. The main purpose of the Catholic order was to take care of the French villagers in need. For more than 170 years, the organization was developed in France. The sisters tended to the sick and poor. At the beginning of the 17th century, Elizabeth A. Seton had not yet been elected to lead SCNY. Seton originally came from New York. She decided to devote her life entirely to human service. Seton became a Catholic and developed the sisterhood. Thanks to her, the organization first appeared in the USA in 1809. It was created in Emmitsburg. There, the order had opened a parochial school for young girls. School attendance was free for everyone. It was then among pioneer Catholic schools formed in the USA.
Expanding the Order and Opening SCNY
The community set up congregations in various American cities. In 1814, the branch was opened in Philadelphia. After three years, Seton dispatched several women to her hometown, New York City (NYC). The main task of the organization was to create a shelter for people in need. In the early 19th century, NYC was overcrowded with children without parental care. The city urgently needed an orphanage. In addition, the religious women in New York were involved in establishing parochial hospitals and schools. SCNY initiated such establishments in poor neighborhoods and where immigrants lived.
Gradually, SCNY opened more and more orphans’ asylums, infirmaries and schools. Moreover, the order’s ranks were persistently replenished. Many women in NYC wanted to dedicate themselves to nursing the sick and the poor. SCNY developed sufficiently soon. It grew autonomous from the main Emmitsburg organization.
The religious women have been active in New York since 1817 in a variety of ways, including:
- Nursing
- Family care
- Childcare
- Caring for the vagrants
- Help for immigrants
- Care for the elderly
- Protecting civil rights
The Organization in the 21st Century
SCNY continues its work in the 21st century. Its primary mission remains to serve the citizens. The women help anyone in need without exception. They take care of the kids and the elderly. In the 21st century, SCNY has also set up women’s aid centers. Services, environmental work and even schooling are carried out. The main SCNY center in NYC is at Mt. St. Vincent, the Bronx.