Servants of Relief for Incurable Cancer

Servants of Relief for Incurable Cancer. A Roman Catholic religious congregation of women dedicated to providing free hospice and nursing care to patients with terminal cancer. Founded in the late 19th century, it operates several specialized facilities, often called homes, within the United States. The order is known for its charism of serving the impoverished sick with compassion and dignity, regardless of background or ability to pay.

History

The congregation was founded in 1899 by Rose Hawthorne Lathrop, the youngest daughter of American author Nathaniel Hawthorne. After her mother's death from cancer, Lathrop was moved by the plight of impoverished cancer patients in the Lower East Side of New York City. She trained as a nurse at the New York Cancer Hospital and began her work in a tenement on Water Street. With the assistance of Alice Huber, a portrait artist, the small community grew. In 1900, the work received canonical approval from New York Archbishop Michael Corrigan, and the sisters were established as a religious order under the Dominican Order. The motherhouse was later established in Westchester County, leading to the founding of Rosary Hill Home in Hawthorne, New York.

Mission and services

The primary mission is to provide compassionate, holistic care to individuals with advanced cancer who cannot afford private care. This care is offered completely free of charge, funded through donations and charitable support. Services encompass comprehensive nursing, palliative care, pain management, and spiritual support, creating a home-like environment. The sisters, who take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, personally provide much of the hands-on care, adhering to the philosophy that the dying poor deserve expert medical attention and profound respect. Their work is considered a pioneering model in the American hospice movement.

Facilities

The congregation operates several dedicated facilities, commonly known as "Hawthorne Dominicans" homes. The flagship institution is Rosary Hill Home in Hawthorne, New York, which serves as the motherhouse and a major care facility. Other homes have been established in locations such as Philadelphia, Fall River, and Atlanta. Each home is designed to be a serene, residential setting rather than a clinical hospital, often featuring gardens and chapels. The architecture and atmosphere are intended to promote peace and comfort for both residents and their visiting families during the final stages of illness.

Founders and leadership

The principal founder was Rose Hawthorne Lathrop, who later became known as Mother Mary Alphonsa. Her close collaborator, Alice Huber, known as Sister Mary Rose, was instrumental in the early growth and administration of the order. The congregation's first spiritual advisor was Father Clement Thuente, O.P. Leadership is vested in a mother general, elected by the chapter of sisters, who oversees all operations and the spiritual life of the community. The cause for the canonization of Mother Mary Alphonsa was opened by the Holy See, and she has been declared a Servant of God.

Affiliations and recognition

The congregation is a member of the Dominican Order, specifically the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne. It operates under the guidance and approval of the local diocesan bishops where its homes are located. The work has been recognized by numerous medical and religious figures, and it maintains affiliations with various Catholic healthcare organizations. The order's unique charism and enduring service have been highlighted in publications like the Catholic Encyclopedia and have received accolades from civic leaders, including mayors and governors from the states where they serve.

Category:Religious organizations established in 1899 Category:Hospice care organizations in the United States Category:Catholic female orders and societies Category:Dominican Order in the United States