USA Enters World War I

Although World War I was being fought in Europe, people in America were directly affected by it too. The USA sent soldiers and support personnel overseas and many lost their lives. Soldiers’ families back home had to find work to support themselves, and people had to ration goods that were needed for the war effort. Most Salvatorians in the USA had come from Europe. They found it difficult to get news from family members and fellow Salvatorians back in their homelands. In Europe, German-born Salvatorians, including Father Francis Jordan had to find neutral places to live, or risk being drawn into the war.

These WWI photos come from a collection from Father Ralph Fontaine, SDS. He had served in Salvatorian missions in India until all German missionaries were forced to leave the country after the war began. Many photos from that era were ordered destroyed when Hitler rose to power in the 1930s. Only photos taken out of Germany before that time survived — including Fr. Ralph’s. His photo album came to the Society of the Divine Savior Archives after he died in 1943.


Our 125 Year Celebration

As we look back on our 125th anniversary of coming to the USA, we invite you to reminisce with us. We've launched all 5 time lines with historical milestones and stories that bring to life the experiences of our sisters who came before us.

Era 1: 1895-1920
Responding to Immigrant Needs

The missionary response of hearty immigrant women religious characterizes the first 25 years of Salvatorian Sisters’ presence in the United States ...

Era 2: 1920-1950
Expanding in an “American” Church

By 1920, life for a Salvatorian Sister in the USA was radically different than it had been 25 years earlier. World War I ....

Era 3: 1950-1970
Embracing Renewal

Bob Dylan’s 1964 classic, The Times They Are A Changing, captures the high energy of this era.  Change was afoot both outside and inside the Salvatorian convent walls...

Era 4: 1970-2000
Building Collaboration

Events of the mid-1960s renewed the collaborative energy that had always characterized Salvatorian life. Cloistered living ...

Era 5: 2000-2020
Searching for New Footing in a Changing World

When the new millennium arrived on January 1, 2000, Salvatorian Sisters were already five years into our second century on USA soil.  Our ...