Frances Nevins (Sr. Christine Marie of the Holy Spirit, OCD) Collection

An inventory of the Frances Nevins (Sr. Christine Marie of the Holy Spirit, OCD) Collection at The American Catholic History Research Center and University Archives

Biographical Note

Sister Christine Marie of the Holy Spirit, OCD, nee Francis Nevins, (1930-1980) was a Carmelite nun, scholar, and mystic. Born on August 17, 1930 in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Nevins spent the first few decades of her life engrossed in academic pursuits. Having finished at the Master's School in 1947, she enrolled at Connecticut College. Graduating with honors from Connecticut in 1951 - her thesis being on Nicholas of Cusa - she eventually earned a Masters in history from Radcliffe College.

The 1950s was a formative decade for Nevins. Not only did she excel academically and work as a school teacher, but she also married and divorced the man she loved and acted on her baptism as a Catholic. Following in a pilgrimage to Europe in 1957, and her close correspondence with Charles Reardon, a Jesuit theologian, she would enter a community of cloistered religious women in 1960. Nevins would remain in the Carmelite Monastery in Schenectady the remainder of her life.

In her two decades in the convent, she continued to remain active in her academic and spiritual pursuits. Despite failing health in her later years, she remained active in teaching new postulants to the community and in writing. She passed away in December 1980.

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Scope and Contents

The Frances Nevins (Sister Christine Marie of the Holy Spirit, OCD) Collection spans the years 1930-2014 and reflects much of the life, work, and personal connections of Frances Nevins. Initially assembled as research material for Dr. Mullaney's biography on Teresa, it primarily includes Nevins's personal writings and effects, testimonials, correspondence, and photographic materials. The collection is divided into six series.

Series 1, Carmelite Writings, 1969-1980, is arranged chronologically in Boxes 1-2. It primarily consists of a retreat notes and journal entries written by Frances Nevins during her second decade as a Carmelite sister.

Series 2, Beatification/Canonization Process, 1958-2014, is arranged chronologically and topically in Boxes 3-5. This series consists exclusively of written testimonials, correspondence, and documents attesting to the spiritual life of Frances Nevins from those who were close to her.

Series 3, Personal Correspondence, 1947-1982, arranged alphabetically and chronologically, is located in Boxes 6-8. It includes correspondence to and from Frances Nevins, including Joan Ward Mullaney.

Series 4, Documents/Books, 1931-2012, is located in Boxes 9-10. This series includes a variety of materials related to Nevins's family history, her academic career, and the publication of Dr. Mullaney's biography. Of particular note are copies of Nevins's undergraduate thesis, photographs from her school years, as well as copies of her biography. Also included are copies of her academic transcripts and applications. Due to the sensitive nature of these documents, access is restricted.

Series 5, Photographs, 1930-2013, is housed in Box 11. The Photograph series, organized alphabetically, includes a variety of images utilized in Dr. Mullaney's biography of Frances Nevins. It includes images and negatives of Nevins, friends and family, and locations prominent in her life.

Series 6, Personal Effects, 1957-1980, is located in Boxes 11-12. It is a collection of some of Nevins's personal possessions, including books, memorabilia, and her personal copies of the Liturgy of the Hours.

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Arrangement

Frances Nevins (Sister Christine Marie of the Holy Spirit, OCD) Collection consists of 6 series:

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

Restrictions are in place for the Box 10, Folder 1, "Transcript [RESTRICTED], 1945-1982." Access is subject to the approval of the Archivist or Associate Archivist.

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Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Joan Ward Mullaney donated the assembled collection to the American Catholic History Research Center in 2013-2015.

Processing Information

The collection was originally organized and boxed by Joan Ward Mullaney before its deposit at the Archives. Upon an initial survey, the collection consisted of processed materials contained within labeled envelopes.

The series headings and folder titles were generally maintained, except to place the folders in chronological or alphabetical order, as applicable. All the materials were removed from the original envelopes and placed in acid-free ones. The original envelopes were placed into a final assemblage at the end of the collection. The collection was also condensed from an initial 18 boxes to 12 new letter-size document boxes.

All photographs and negatives were also sleeved for protection.

Processing completed in 2013 by Joan Ward Mullaney and in 2014 by Shane T. MacDonald. EAD markup completed in 2014 by Shane T. MacDonald.

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Related Material

American Catholic History Research Center and University Archives:

Co-Workers of Mother Teresa in America

Eileen Egan's Mother Teresa Collection

National Council of Catholic Women (NCCW) Records

Other Institutions:

Francesnevins.com

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Index Terms

Persons:

Organizations:

Places:

Subjects:

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Bibliography

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Detailed Description of the Collection

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Descriptive Summary

Biographical Note

Scope and Contents

Arrangement

Restrictions

Administrative Information

Related Material

Index Terms

Bibliography

Detailed Description of the Collection

Series 1: Subject Files, 1956-2000 (11 Boxes) 1956-2000

Series 2: Beatification/Canonization Process 1958-2014

Series 3: Personal Correspondence 1947-1982

Series 4: Documents/Books 1931-2012

Series 5: Photographs 1930-2013

Series 6: Personal Effects 1957-1980