Worcester, MA | Philadelphia, PA | Chaparral, NM
Our Kate O'Neill Library at Assumption Center in Worcester has a new addition: Kate O'Neill herself! Well, not really. A beautiful portrait of her painted in oils now hangs among the spiritual books that fill our bookcases.
Who is Kate O'Neill and who painted her portrait? Read on...
MOTHER THERESE EMMANUEL
(Catherine O'Neill)
co-founder of the Religious of the Assumption
Catherine O'Neill, or Kate, was born in Limerick, Ireland on May 3rd, 1816. At age 23 she met Anne Eugenie Milleret in Paris and soon was part of the small group of young women who formed the first community of the Assumption in 1839. As a sister and intimate friend of St. Marie Eugenie and particularly as novice mistress for forty years, she formed generations of sisters in the interior life which is the heart of the Assumption spirit.
On her deathbed on May 2nd, 1888, at age 72, she said, "I belong to the Assumption, my life is totally consecrated to it; I am not leaving it, I am going to the Assumption in eternity."
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Carrie Nixon is a painter and an Associate Professor of Art at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts. Before coming to Worcester, Carrie taught Drawing and Design for 18 years at the University of Cincinnati. She is a native of Detroit, Michigan and earned her B.A. in Art from Yale University and her M.F.A. in Drawing from Wayne State University.
Why not visit the library, check out the painting and borrow a book? The library is open Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:30 a.m. - noon and is housed at Assumption Center, 16 Vineyard Street, Worcester, MA 01603. For more information, write us at [email protected]