Most people probably think of a “cradle” as a crib, a bed for a baby.

For members of the Maestre Pie Filippini (Religious Teachers Filippini), however, the word “cradle” might call to mind the community of St. Joachim, Trenton, and the parish school that their religious congregation helped to found 100 years ago.

This past year, the Filippini sisters, along with the throngs of many with whom they have  served, have commemorated the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the Filippinis in America with various spiritual, social and historical events. The sisters will conclude the year when they return to their beloved “cradle” – Our Lady of the Angels Parish-St. Joachim Church Sept. 10 and join Bishop Emeritus John M. Smith for a Mass of Thanksgiving at 11 a.m. The celebration will continue later in the evening when a reunion will be held for all St. Joachim School alumni.

The range of sentiments expressed by Filippini sisters and those they have encountered in schools and parishes around the diocese, state and country about the 100th anniversary commemoration were warm and reflective.

Describing the past year as a time of “renewal,” Filippini Sister Alice Ivanyo, principal of the Lower School at Villa Victoria Academy, West Trenton, said: “It’s been a time for all of us to get to know our roots and history better; to see how God has worked through the sisters and to see his plan unfold.”

““This past year helped to make the history of the Filippini Sisters come alive for me. It has given me a lot of hope and confidence in the mission of our community, and to be a part of that mission has been such a great privilege.”

Filippini Sister Ascenza Tizzano, chair of the centennial year and a former community provincial, spoke of “how blessed” her community has been.

“We have had many challenges throughout the years, but God always provided for us. We’ve been blessed with many benefactors and great leaders throughout the century that allowed us to focus on our mission of teaching the Word of God,” said Sister Ascenza.

Students’ Special Memories
Even though it’s been years since they graduated from St. Joachim School, the memories that alumni have of their alma mater and the Filippini sisters are treasured.

The Filippini Sisters had a “strong presence of faith” and “it gives me a feeling of pride knowing that I was ‘raised’ by sisters who are still actively teaching and involved,” said 1978 graduate, Deanna Orha Harkanson.

The Filippini Sisters “were just the best!” echoed Hope Del Aversano Costa, a 1979 graduate.

 “They were stern yet loving in the instruction they provided.”

Two Filippinis Costa fondly recalled from her school days were Sister Domenica Troina, who was principal at the time, and Sister Virgina Jamale, her sixth and eighth grade teacher.

“When I think of Sister Virginia, the two words that come to mind are fun and math,” Costa said. “She was just the best!  Her classes were always filled with fun and challenges. Even though I wasn't the best of math students, she never made me feel that way,” Costa said, then added that she tries to emulate Sister Virginia’s example in her own career as an educator.

The Religious Teachers Filippini embodies what it means to be a teacher!” Costa said. “It is such a joyous occasion to see them celebrate 100 years! Those of us who had the Filippini sisters and, still are able to have them as teachers, are very lucky.”

Suzanne Ianni and her family have a lengthy history with the Filippini sisters. While Iannai graduated from St. Joachim School in 1982 and Villa Victoria Academy, West Trenton, in 1986, her parents, James and Jean Ianni, are both St. Joachim School alumni, and now Ianni’s two daughters, Summer and Skyler Kellers, attend Villa Victoria Academy.

“It is a great feeling to know that my daughters have the same wonderful opportunity of a Filippini education that I and my parents and grandparents had,” said Suzanne Ianni.
“The Sisters foster a love of learning in a family atmosphere that builds both self confidence and a sense of community,” Ianni said.

“While I knew sending my daughters to Villa Victoria was a priority, my decision was validated when my nine-year-old Skyler said to be that she wanted to be helpful like St. Lucy and my 11-year-old, Summer, lights up when she talks about her school and the beautiful friendships she has formed there.”

Jean Ianni said she is heartened to know that there have been many graduates of the Filippini education who have “gone on to do great things.”

“As  a St. Joachim's grad, I am proud to be a part of this historic celebration that honors what St. Lucy started.”

Jim Ianni remarked on how “St. Lucy was years ahead of her time by advocating for equal education for women.”

“My family is honored to help continue her mission by sending our children to Catholic schools run by the Maestre Pie Filippini, he said, “and we look forward to a wonderful closing of this centennial year.”

Bit of History
In the midst of the year 1910 where in the United States, William Howard Taft was president, the country’s population was recorded at 92 million, a loaf of bread cost five cents and a gallon of milk cost 50 cents, a historic movement in the life of the Catholic Church occurred when five Italian immigrant religious women known as the Maestre Pie Filippini (Religious Teachers Filippini) landed on American soil to begin their ministry as Catholic educators in the Diocese of Trenton.

An encapsulated version of the Religious Teachers Filippini’s rich history dates back to 1672 in the town of Tanquinia, Italy, where the future St. Lucy Filippini was born.

Lucy was a young girl when the Bishop of Montefiascone, Marc Anthony Barbargio, observed her teaching children the catechism. As time progressed, the bishop became increasingly impressed with Lucy’s God-given gifts and abilities. Eventually, the bishop asked Lucy to begin schools in Montefiascone. As her ministry evolved, more young women became inspired to join in this mission.

As Lucy’s reputation as an educator became more widely known, she was eventually summoned to continue her work in Rome. Her community continued to flourish and soon came under the auspices of the Holy Father.

The work of the Filippinis continued to evolve throughout European lands over the next two centuries. However their presence in the United States evolved in 1910 when Pope Pius X commissioned five sisters to work with the Italian immigrants in Trenton, N.J. Msgr. Luigi Pozzi, who was pastor of St. Joachim Parish became discouraged in his efforts to obtain sisters to staff his new parish school. Msgr. Pozzi traveled to Rome where he met with Mother Rosa Leoni, then superior general of the Religious Teachers Filippini, and asked if sisters could be sent to the United States. Although his request was denied at first, a determined Msgr. Pozzi managed to arrange for a meeting with the Holy Father, who ordered that five sisters ’s blessing,  Sisters Ninetta Jonata, Mary Figliamonti, Florence Martella, Concetta Loreti and Mary De Renzi be sent to America. The five pioneers set sail for America aboard the steamer, Sant’Anna’ Aug. 4, 1910; arrived in Brooklyn, N.Y., two weeks later and then boarded a train for Trenton where they were greeted by the jubilant sounds of a marching band accompanied by the parishioners of St. Joachim Parish.

Although their living conditions in the parish were considered deplorable and the sisters, who were each given a monthly pay of $12, had to supplement their income through sewing and embroidery projects, they began to fulfill their mission in their new land. On Sept. 5, 1910, they registered 133 children of Italian immigrants for the kindergarten and first grade classes. While the sisters taught during the day, it was after school hours that they had took on additional duties of what is known today as evangelization. They visited parishioners and encouraged them to attend Mass and participate in parish activities.

Eight years after the sisters arrived in Trenton, then Trenton Bishop James McFaul, died, and on May 10, 1918, Pope Benedict XV appointed Thomas Joseph Walsh as the diocese’s next ordinary. Three days after Bishop Walsh was installed, Sister Ninetta, the youngest of the five sisters and also the superior, wasted no time in going to the new bishop’s residence asking for an appointment with him. It was that first meeting that forged a special bond between Bishop Walsh and the Religious Teachers Filippini and the development of the community’s American province.

The Filippinis’ first motherhouse was established on the grounds of Villa Victoria Academy, West Trenton. However, the sisters were relocated to Morristown where the new motherhouse was established in 1930. Initially, the motherhouse was named Villa Lucia, but later it was renamed to Villa Walsh in honor of the archbishop.

For many years, St. Joachim School provided a place for children to be taught in their native tongue while learning about the language and cultures of America. Unfortunately, the later 1990s became years of acute financial difficulty for the parish school. The years of movement to suburban parishes and schools took its toll on enrollment. Within the city there were now too many Catholic schools for too few students. The city’s parochial schools found themselves relying increasingly on the support of non-Catholic families to boost declining enrollment, and the advent of the charter schools in New Jersey posed a threat to that support. By April, 1999, it became apparent that St. Joachim Church could no longer support the parish school. With an enrollment of 65 students for the 1999-2000 school year the parish had no alternative but to close the school doors that June.

But even after St. Joachim School had closed, the presence of the Filippini sisters remained strong in the parish. With the support and encouragement the parish’s two most recent pastors, Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio and Father Jeffrey E. Lee, the sisters continued to serve in pastoral care ministry and outreach to the sick and homebound.

Filippini Influence
A point of pride for the community of St. Joachim Parish was the number of native sons and daughters who pursued vocations to the priesthood and religious life. There were more than 20 men who became priests and some 42 women who became sisters. Though the majority of the women entered the Filippini community, there were a few who sought vocations in other orders.

An example of the Filippini influence on vocations can be seen through the eyes of brother and sister team, Msgr. Thomas N. Gervasio, pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, and Filippini Sister Frances Gervasio, who recently joined St. Mary of Mount Virgin Parish, New Brunswick, as a pastoral associate.

Msgr. Gervasio, a 1970 graduate, said that he always “had a good experience” with the Filippini sisters.

“They were excellent teachers. “They challenged us when we needed to be challenged, and they were also nurturing.”

At St. Joachim School, “the Filippini community, along with the pastor, Msgr. Emilio A. Cardelia, made a wonderful team that helped students to understand what it meant to be a Catholic,” he said.

Sister Frances, a 1958 graduate, fondly recalled being a student and helping the sisters with chores in the church and running various errands.

Even at a young age, Sister Frances found it to be a “great joy” to work with the sisters.

“I was always surrounded by happy sisters. They were always very pleasant and I learned so much from them,” said Sister Frances, a Filippini sister for 56 years.

Like her brother, Sister Frances said that by witnessing how the sisters had lived their lives, she decided that she wanted to “serve the Lord as they did.”

“They did it so happily,” Sister Frances said.

As for what it means to see her community celebrate the 100th anniversary milestone, all Sister Frances could say was “it’s a great joy.”

 “St. Lucy was our guide and she continues to be our guide. We wouldn’t be where we are today without St. Lucy Filippini.”

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