Strawberry Day: Sisters of Holy Names Founders' Day
- What
- Strawberry Day: Sisters of Holy Names Founders' Day
- When
- 5/10/2017
Strawberry Day Sunday, May 10
“Six Sisters of the Holy Names from Hochalaga, Canada, destined for Oakland, California, boarded the Ocean Queen at New York.
After receiving extraordinary hospitality and attentions from officers and other travelers on the vessel, they reached Aspinwall, the Port of the Isthmus of Panama, on the Atlantic side. They cruised the Isthmus in a little train which allowed them to see from its windows bananas on trees, besides pineapples, coconuts, and other tropical fruits they had never seen growing before.
Finally, they boarded the ship Golden Age in the Pacific Ocean, and after another long voyage, they passed through the Golden Gate and entered San Francisco Harbor on Sunday, May 10, 1868, and docked about 1:30 A.M.
Not until 5:00 A.M. did they leave the ship to enter the carriages that took them to St. Mary’s Hospital where they received exquisite hospitality and attended an early Sunday Mass much appreciated as there was no priest on board their ships from New York to San Francisco.
Rev. Father Michael Aloysius King, Pastor of St. Mary’s Church, in Oakland, could not meet the Sisters in the morning, as he had early Masses in his Oakland Church.
When time for Benediction arrived at the hospital, Mother Baptist Russell (a Sister of Mercy) asked Sister Seraphine to sing an Ave Maria which she gladly did, and no doubt advertised very well her beautiful voice.
Later, Father King arrived at the hospital and was delighted to welcome “his Sisters”. They were Sisters Mary Salome (temporarily in charge), Anthony, Marcelline, Celestine, Seraphine, and the auxiliary Sister Mary Cyril.
Mother Baptist Russell prepared a substantial collation for her guests and had it served in the garden. On the table were large luscious strawberries, the first of the season. “How wonderful in California,” exclaimed the Canadians! Father King never heard of strawberries without cream. “Wait,” he said, “you cannot eat strawberries without cream. Give me a pitcher.” So off he went and returned with the cream.
This is the traditional “Strawberry Story” that has come to us through the years; and, in commemoration of this event, strawberries are served to the Community on Founders’ Day, May 10, of each year.