Mother Hardey

1. Mother Hardey  By: Laura R., Lexi O., Katherine M. and Lizzie G.

2. Childhood: • Mary Ann Hardey was born on December 8, 1809 in Piscatway, Maryland. She was born to Frederick Hardey and Sarah Spalding.  • At the age of 1 Mary went to live with her Grandma in Baltimore to avoid catching the whooping cough. She lived there for 4 years, and for the whole time she was away Mary was not able to see her mother. Another reason is that the second world war of independence was going on. Mary was a very outgoing and intelligent young girl. •  When returning to her parents at age 5, she became  shy because she came to a home of 2 new sisters.  • Two years after she reunited with her family, they moved to a plantation in Louisiana. They pack all of their belongings in a covered wagon brought there slaves, children, and parents. The trip took around 3 to 4 months. When the family arrived, they were a very happy in there new home. 

3. Childhood: Education and Religion • Mary Ann Hardey was home schooled by her mother.  • Later on Mary was a very intelligent yong lady and was educated in religion. In her class, she was the one who answered all of her classmates questions correctly and was the smartest one in the class.  • Mary took her first communion at age 8 and was later confirmed.  • In 1821, Mary later started attending The Religious of the Sacred Heart in Grand Croteau. Mary had issues with tuition so she came up with the idea of having her slaves do the laundry for her school.  • The head of schools was Mother Eugenie Aude. Mother Aude spoke fluent french and was not well educated in English so, Mary quickly learned french so that she may speak to Mother Aude.  • In 1822 there were 17 students in the school building.

4. Childhood: Education and Religion • At school, Mary Aloysia Hardey was a leader and when Rose Phillipene Duchene came to visit, she was the student that was chosen to welcome Rose Phillipene Duchene to her school.  • When Mary finished with school, she was awarded the First Medallion for good conduct.  • Later, Mary entered the Society of the Sacred Heart, even though her father disapproved of it. • Mary Aloysia Hardey was a tall, blonde, gray eyed lady with a graceful and energetic personality.  • Her smile attracted others and was very pleasant to be around. 

5. Adulthood: • Mary Aloysia Hardey’s original name was Mary Ann Hardey. • She was born on December  8, 1809 in Piscataway, U.S. • To prepare her for her future work, she visited Rome and got a blessing from Pope Gregory XVI and stayed with Mother Barat for a period of time. • She founded 25 schools of the Sacred Heart in Canada, Cuba,      and the U.S and established all of the convents of her order up until        1883. • In 1871 she was appointed assistant general in the Mother house, Paris. • She wanted children to have a good education through God. • Mary was named Aloysia when she entered the Society of the Sacred Heart. • Mary Aloysia was appointed the Superior of St. Michael's. • She wanted to help make better schools. • She was in charge in New York for thirty years.

6. Adulthood • She was named superior of the first Sacred Heart in New York. • Her wish for everyone was “Live, for, in, by, with the Sacred Heart.” • She was Superior for 27 years. • During the Civil War Mary delivered aid to the southern homes. • Mother Hardy made ten voyages to Europe and five to Cuba to establish Sacred Heart Schools. • She caught a serious illness in her visit to Paris in 1885. • She died on June 17, 1886 in Paris, France. • Her body was moved to New York which was where she was buried.

7. History during her life: Mary Aloysia Hardey lived from 1809 to 1886. In 1809, Napoleon Bonaparte had a disagreement with Pope Pius when he wouldn't join Napoleon and fight against England. Napoleon then forced the Pope to go to France where he was a prisoner until 1814. Mother Hardey also lived through the War of 1812, fought between the United States and Great Britain. In 1814 The French Revolution ended. Many religious orders survived the French Revolution, such as the Jesuits and Franciscans, Oblates of Mary Immaculate and the Marists were new religious orders founded after the French Revolution. In 1861 the Civil War began, and in 1863 the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. During the Indian Wars in 1877 including General Custer's last stand, were fought.

8. What lessons can we take from Mother Hardey? How does knowing what Mother Hardey help us understand the Church? Some lessons we can take from Mother Hardey is that we should never give up on the things one wants. By knowing what Mother Hardey did helps us understand the Church because if one only prays not much will come of it. But, if one takes action into what they believe in, then something great will come out of it. Question and Answer:

9. What were some of the struggles that she had to go through in her life? How does religion affect her daily life?  For the first 5 years of her life, Mother Hardey was not able to see her mother. She lived with her Grandmother so that she wold not become sick. Also, the war of 1812 was going on, making it hard for Mother Hardey, and her mother to see each other. Religion affects Mother Hardeys` life by that she did not only depend on God, she also taught her self that with some work any prayer could come true. Question and Answer:

10. Sources: Church History http://www.mrnussbaum.com/history/1800.htm http://www.rscj.org/node/10 http://www.enotes.com/topic/Mary_Aloysia_Hardey