Sunday, March 31, 2013

A Blessed Day


Although I’ve pretty much exhausted my collection of the cards and keepsakes saved among the papers of Agnes Tully Stevens, I’ll share a few more items in posts this Spring. Today’s keepsake, as yesterday’s, was not originally intended for use during this Holy Week, but still fits appropriately.

This card was obtained from a church organization in New York. Enlarging the inscription on the reverse of the card, I can see the insignia imprinted there identifies the organization as Seraphic Mass Association for Capuchin Foreign Missions.

The occasion for which the card was presented was not as joyous an activity as that which we commemorate today. The card, marked with William Stevens’ name, was dated May 14, 1946. This was just a few days after Agnes’ husband passed away—possibly a gift from a friend intended as consolation for the widow. By her choice to keep this card among her possessions throughout the rest of her life—Agnes, never remarried, lived to be ninety six—demonstrates her longstanding appreciation for that friend’s kindness.


Seraphic Mass Association
210 West 31st Street       New York 1, N.Y.

William Stevens
Has been enrolled in the
Association and will share in all
The benefits, especially in the
Fruits of 188,500 masses each year.

May 14, 1946,
Fr. Bruno, Delegate

Requested by Ceale Scott

Today, so many of us celebrate the occasion of Easter—our remembrance of Resurrection Day—joining with family, friends, and those we consider most important in our lives. It’s a time for many to head to church in gratitude for what the day signifies. Many spend this day joining with others for food and festivities.

In whatever way you commemorate this day, I wish you a Happy Easter.


14 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Colleen, thanks for stopping by. Hope your Easter was blessed!

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  2. One of my friends enrolled my dad in such a mass association upon his death.

    Happy Easter, Jacqi!

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    1. That would make sense, Wendy. Not being Catholic myself, I have a lot to learn about such traditions, gifts and tokens. What seem like little bits of paper turn out to carry such significance to those receiving them.

      Hope your Easter was joyful!

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  3. PS - here's a small world story for you: I was just reading the engagement announcements in today's morning paper (Virginian Pilot). Here's a future bridegroom who is the grandson of the late Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Leonard Bean of Hallowell, Maine. I wonder if he's yours.

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    Replies
    1. Oh, yes! Another of those Bean family members from Maine!

      I'll have to tuck that one away for future consideration. I'm afraid it will be a long time before I can positively identify which ones belong to Sam's line.

      Isn't it funny, when researching someone who seems literally to possess no relatives, that dozens of potential matches seem to suddenly jump out of hiding?

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  4. Happy Easter to you and your family, Jacqi!

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    1. Thank you, Jana. I hope your Easter was a wonderful time with your family.

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  5. Easter blessings! Agnes did save everything..how are you going to save all of her "things":)

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    1. Believe me, I have a steep learning curve ahead of me when it comes to discovering the best way to preserve all these items. At least, the scanning step is already done...

      I'm reading through a couple books with helpful archiving information. Hopefully, I can share that information I'm gleaning in some future posts about the books, as they have a lot of applicable tips. I'm sure I'm not alone in this journey!

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  6. Replies
    1. Thank you, Iggy. It was! Hope yours was, too...and maybe that you got the chance to go on one of your walks that brings back those fabulous photos.

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  7. That card would be a wonderful gift. It is saying that although her husband has passed away, many masses will be said for him. Sigh.

    I hope your Easter was wonderful.

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    Replies
    1. That time period--or at least that particular family's experience--had so many tokens of deep care for one another. I sometimes wonder what, in our times, replaces such tokens.

      Thank you so much for the Easter wishes, Mariann. I hope your holiday was delightful!

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