The Decline and Fall of Saint Mary's of the Barrens: A Case Study in the Contraction of An American Catholic Religious Order - Part Two

Presenter Information

Richard J. Janet Ph.D.

Abstract

This article, continued from the second issue of volume 22, details the dilemma after Saint Mary’s closure of what to do with the lands, archives, rare books, objets d’art, etc., that belonged to the house. The province wanted to preserve the house’s heritage without having it become a drain on current and future provincial apostolates. Confreres and the town and county of Perryville were concerned that the province would sacrifice too much of the past. This situation provided a case study in the conflict between individual confreres’ identity and the emerging identity of the province. The many complicated proposed solutions are described, as is the tension between the house and the province over who had the authority to make decisions.

Recommended Citation

Janet, Richard J. Ph.D. (2005) "The Decline and Fall of Saint Mary's of the Barrens: A Case Study in the Contraction of An American Catholic Religious Order - Part Two," Vincentian Heritage Journal: Vol. 25: Iss. 1, Article 1.
Available at: https://via.library.depaul.edu/vhj/vol25/iss1/1