Kaupas, Mother Maria (Casimir), 1880-1940
Biographical
Maria Kaupas (January 6, 1880 – April 17, 1940) was an American religious sister who founded the Sisters of Saint Casimir in the Catholic Church. Born Casimira Kaupas in Ramygala, Russian Empire, she emigrated to the US at 17, settling in Scranton, Pennsylvania, to work as a housekeeper for her brother, Anthony Kaupas, pastor of St. Joseph Parish. She was attracted to religious sisters and became aware of her countrymen's struggles, especially language barriers in spiritual life. Homesick, Kaupas returned to Lithuania in 1901 but sought her calling, aiming to serve Lithuanian immigrants. Her brother informed her that Lithuanian clergy wanted to establish a community of sisters for teaching and preserving culture. She studied with the Sisters of Mercy of the Holy Cross in Switzerland in 1902. Despite the disbanding of the Priests Council in 1904, she pursued founding a new congregation. In 1905, Bishop Jeremiah F. Shanahan sponsored her, and she joined the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, taking the name Sister Maria. She made vows in 1907, founding the Sisters of St. Casimir. They initially worked in parochial schools, establishing their motherhouse in Chicago in 1911, serving Lithuanian and other parishes, and later expanding to home missions and health care, including Holy Cross Hospital. She founded Villa Joseph Marie in Holland, Pennsylvania, a thriving school with under 400 students and 40 faculty, known for its academics and college preparation. Kaupas died in Chicago in 1940. In 2010, she was declared Venerable by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.
Places
- Pennsylvania (state) (Place of Birth)
- Chicago (inhabited place); Illinois (state) (Place of Birth)
- Lithuania (Place of Birth)
Languages Used
- Lithuanian
- English
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Folder: General Chapter 1928, 1928
The folder contains the "History of Temporal Holdings 1909-1924," authored by Mother Maria Kaupas. This document, dated 1928, is part of the General Chapter 1928 collection and provides insights into the temporal holdings during the specified period.
Folder: General Chapter 1928, 1928
The folder contains letters from Rev. Mother Maria Kaupas to the Community, dated 1928. These letters are part of the General Chapter 1928 collection and provide insights into the communications and directives from Mother Maria during that year.