“From the Archives” — Parish Organizations of The Past – Part One

A number of interesting Saint Mary groups are no longer active today but provide insight into parish life in earlier times. In many cases, their work has been incorporated into the work of newer, current groups.

• The League of the Sacred Heart, a popular Jesuit devotional practice, led First Friday devotions. There was also a children’s branch, the League of the Sacred Heart, in the 1890s.
• The Holy Name Society, a men’s group organized by Father Henry J. Cutler in 1909, survived until the 1960s. Its members participated in church devotions such as the 40 Hours, when they processed around the dimly lit church carrying lighted candles during benediction. One Sunday each month was designat- ed “Holy Name Sunday,” when the men met and received Holy Communion together.
• The Alexandria Catholic Beneficial Society, very active in the years after the Civil War, raised funds for needy persons of the parish and city, and for many church projects.
• The Young Men’s Sodality (YMS) was organized in October 1888, under the auspices of Father DennisO’Kane. The parish Lyceum was originally named “The Young Men’s Sodality
• Lyceum.” The YMS donated a new altar on the south side of the sanctuary. The beautiful marble statue of the Blessed Mother (right), still adorning the church today, was placed above this altar.
• The Ladies’ Sodality of the Blessed Virgin was organized in 1893. An 1895 advertisement in the local newspaper announced the group’s oyster roast and supper, in the Lyceum, to benefit the church building fund. The double stained-glass window depicting Saint Andrew and Saint John the Baptist on the south wall of the church was donated by the Ladies Sodality.