Venerable Mother Maria Kaupas, SSC Our first group of inductees are members of the Sisters of St. Casimir, who founded Villa Joseph Marie High School in 1932 and operated our school into the 21st century. They continue to sponsor Villa Joseph Marie today, and have educated, influenced, and inspired thousands of Villa Alumnae through their commitment to faith, service, community, and the intellectual development of young women. It is only fitting that the Charter Member of our new Wall of Fame is Venerable Mother Maria Kaupas, the Foundress of the Sisters of St. Casimir and of Villa Joseph Marie High School. Mother Maria was a woman of extraordinary faith and courage. Born Casimira Kaupas in Lithuania in 1880, she immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager at the request of her brother, the pastor of a Lithuanian parish in Scranton, Pa. While she served as his housekeeper, she met Sisters for the first time and was attracted to the religious life. When she told her brother of her intent to enter a congregation, he informed her that the American Lithuanian clergy sought to establish an order of women religious for the purposes of educating youth and helping preserve Lithuanian language and customs. Casimira agreed to lead this new venture. She spent several years in preparation overseas, while seeking sponsorship in the U.S. Ultimately, Bishop John Shanahan of Harrisburg agreed to sponsor the congregation in Pennsylvania, and on August 29, 1907, the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Casimir was founded. Casimira desired that the new congregation would be named after the Blessed Mother, but Bishop Shanahan recommended that it be called the Sisters of St. Casimir to honor St. Casimir, the patron of Lithuania. He fulfilled her desire of a Marian title by naming her Sister Maria. Mother Maria’s goal to provide a religious education for young Lithuanian immigrants first became a reality on January 6, 1908, when Holy Cross School opened in Mt. Carmel, Pa. Soon, Lithuanian pastors across the country were requesting Sisters to staff their parochial schools. Because of the large concentration of Lithuanian immigrants in Chicago, Bishop Shanahan consented to have the Sisters build their Motherhouse in centrally located Chicago. It was completed on February 28, 1911. In the early 1930s, Mother Maria wished to found a country retreat house and school closer to the Congregation’s birthplace in Scranton, Pa. After a lengthy search, she purchased a 203- acre farm in Bucks County. There were several buildings on the grounds, including what are now Maria Hall and Regina Hall. Mother Maria and her fellow Sisters worked to transform the farm into a retreat and school. In 1932, Villa Joseph Marie High School was officially dedicated, and students quickly flocked here. They boarded in Regina Hall and walked to 1 Maria Hall for classes. Later, as student enrollment grew, the Sisters realized they would need to build a new school. In 1957, construction on the current school building was completed. Mother Maria remained in the office of General Superior for 27 years—from 1913 until she passed away in 1940. During her administration, the Sisters of St. Casimir grew in membership and in ministry, as the Sisters spread their mission across the country. For the first 20 years of its existence, the Congregation focused on its primary apostolate—education. But as time passed and health care needs grew, Mother Maria prepared her Sisters as nurses and administrators to staff several hospitals as well. The first calls for Mother Maria’s beatification came within hours after her passing. Favors received through her intercession were recorded, and tireless efforts ensued to preserve the memory of her heroic, virtuous life. In 1986, the necessary materials were compiled. Joseph Cardinal Bernardin requested of Rome a formal approval of this work. This was granted, and Mother Maria was named “Servant of God” by the Sacred Congregation for the Causes of Saints. Nine theologians unanimously voted to elevate Mother Maria to the status of “Venerable” in 2010, with the approval of the Commission of Bishops and Pope Benedict XVI. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints is continuing to review documents concerning a proposed miracle granted through the intercession of Mother Maria. If it is authenticated by Church authorities, Venerable Mother Maria will be proclaimed “Blessed.” Mother Maria’s impact cannot be overstated. Villa Joseph Marie High School simply would not exist without her. More than 70 years after her death, her legacy lives on in the Villa community, which actively gives witness to her Mission every day: “Always more, Always better, Always with love.” We are proud and honored to induct her as the first member of the Villa Joseph Marie High School Wall of Fame. 2 .