Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory

Mother M. Angeline Teresa (née Bridget Teresa McCrory) 21 January, 1893-21 January, 1984 was born in Mountjoy, County Tyrone, Ireland. She was a Roman Catholic nun who worked as an advocate for the impoverished elderly.

Early life

When she was seven years old, her family migrated to Scotland and at the age of nineteen, she left home to become a Little Sister of the Poor, a Roman Catholic congregation engaged in the care of the destitute aged. She made her novitiate in La Tour, France and after professing, she was sent to the United States.

In 1926, Mother Angeline was appointed superior of a nursing home of the Little Sisters of the Poor in the Bronx, New York. During an annual retreat in 1927, she felt an urge to reach out to do more for the aged for whom she cared. She felt that the European model of the care of the elderly and many of the customs in France did not meet the needs of Americans. In addition, she wanted to reach out to the poor elderly who were frequently alone and frightened.

Christian Ministry

Being unable to effect any necessary changes in her present situation, Mother Angeline sought advice and counsel from Patrick Cardinal Hayes of New York. The Cardinal encouraged her in her work and suggested that she expand her ministry to include the aged throughout the New York City area. Eventually, this need was recognized throughout the United States. In order to accomplish what she felt called to do, and with the blessing of the Cardinal, Mother Angeline and six other sisters withdrew from the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor and were granted permission from the Vatican to begin a new community for the care of the aged incorporating Mother Angeline's ideals.

Thus, though the inspiration Mother Angeline received from the congregation dedicated to the aged poor, she was now able to further develop this needed apostolate with new methods. From the very start, the Carmelite Friars in New York took a deep interest in Mother Angeline and her companions. In 1931 the new community became affiliated with the great Order of Carmel and was henceforth known as the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm.

The Germantown, N.Y.-based Carmelite Sisters now operate 17 elder-care facilities around the country, plus one in Ireland.

On 21 January, 1984, Mother Angeline Teresa died knowing that her congregation had grown beyond her expectations. She was fond of saying:

If you have to fail, let it be on the side of kindness. Be kinder than kindness itself to the elderly.

Death & Burial

Mother Angeline Teresa is buried in the congregation's cemetery at St. Teresa's Motherhouse in Germantown, NY.

Canonization

Her cause for beatification and canonization is being investigated in Rome. She is referred to as Servant of God.

The Diocese of Albany, has formally opened a miracle investigation on 18 May, 2009 to consider evidence towards Mother Angeline possibly canonization.

In a ceremony at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center, Bishop Paul G. Bootkoski formally opened the Diocese of Metuchen's investigation into an alleged miracle being attributed to McCrory.

The diocesan investigation is the first phase ­a fact-finding phase of a church process designed to determine whether McCrory's intercession in Heaven resulted in a miracle on earth. Two verified miracles must be attributed to a deceased candidate for sainthood before he or she can be canonized.

The miracle being investigated at the Diocese of Metuchen is one of those reported miracles that has been deemed worthy of investigation by a Vatican designee, or postulate, assigned to the case.

The miracle involves a family in the Diocese of Metuchen's general area which prayed to McCrory to intercede with God after their unborn child was diagnosed with a genetic abnormality. Randall said when the child was born, the defect was not present in the degree it had been expected.

Those decisions will be made by the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints which that process could take years. If the miracle is verified, the Pope can then beatify McCrory, giving her the title of "Blessed." If a second miracle is then attributed to her, she will be eligible for the title of "Saint."