Superior Generals is the introduction to our class project, Our Rare Book Room, Our SMC. The book itself comes from the Cushwa Leighton Library’s Rare Book Room. This particular copy of Superior Generals is important— it sat on the shelf of Sr. M. Madeleva Wolff, arguably the college’s most famous president. Known for her poetry and presidency, Madeleva was one of four Sisters who wrote the stories of these sisters: Mother Mary of The Seven Dolors, Mother M. Augusta, Mother Annunciata, Mother M. Perpetua, and Mother M. Aquina. 
In order to understand the importance of this book, it is important to lay the foundation of what this book is about. One might wonder: 1) What/who is a Superior General; 2) Who are The Sisters of The Holy Cross 3) Who is Madelva;  4) What importance does this book have to do with the myriad of different rare books that are included in this project? This introduction will attempt to answer these four questions.  
Who or what is a Superior General? If you grew up going to Catholic school and had nuns in charge, you might recognize a Superior General as a Mother Superior. A Superior General is ​​the executive authority of a particular religious community. In the 21st Century, many religious orders changed the superiors title to President— this was to reduce hierarchies in their respective orders (no one is superior to anyone). Today, the Sisters of The Holy Cross refer to their Superior General as “President”. In modern terms, this text is about the former presidents of the order. 
Who are the Sisters of The Holy Cross? Founded by Blessed Basil Anothy Moreau in Le Mans, France, The Sisters of The Holy Cross were sent to the Michiana Area to assist the priests and brothers in the founding of The University of Notre Dame du Lac in the early 1840s. In 1844, The Sisters founded Saint Mary’s College; at the time Notre Dame was a men’s college. The Sisters saw a need to educate women, and thus, the founding of our magical school. Among the Sisters sent from Le Mans, France, was Mother Mary of The Seven Dolors. At  just 17 years old, Mother Mary of The Seven Dolors was the first Superior General of the CSC Sisters. 

Today, the Sisters of The Holy Cross’s mission is: “We, Sisters of the Holy Cross throughout the world, are called to participate in the prophetic mission of Jesus to witness God’s love for all creation. Compassion moves us to reflect on the signs of the times, discern needs, and respond. We stand in solidarity with the poor and the powerless. Our life together enriches and strengthens us to foster community wherever we are.” 
Over time, the Sisters of The Holy Cross gathered or were gifted books that have ended up in our Rare Book Room. The books selected for this project demonstrate the signs of the times that the Sisters so humbly responded to. 

Who is Sr. Madeleva Wolff? Sr. Madeleva Wolff is arguably the most famous and the longest reigning president of Saint Mary’s College, but Madeleva is not to be confused as the President of The Sisters of The Holy Cross. Madeleva built the college up to what it is today. She is the reason that female theologians can be theologians. She was a poet and author of books, and friend to many. She put Saint Mary’s on the map. Today, she is seen by many as a patron saint of the college, watching over us, ensuring that the legacy of the college lives on. 


Now, why is this book important for this project? It might seem obvious that this book is important. As stated earlier, this copy of Superior Generals sat on the shelf of Sr. Madeleva. Madeleva was a contributing author, telling the stories of those who came before her— the stories of the Sisters whose shoulders she was standing upon. These Superior Generals are the reason why Saint Mary’s still stands. They recognized the values and benefits of educating young women at a convent school. Still in line with today’s mission of the Sisters, these Superior Generals had compassion that  moved them to reflect on the signs of the times, discern needs, and respond. They did just that. They opened a school and taught women to think on their own. They taught them to be curious and to learn about what interested them— a legacy that Saint Mary’s continues today. 
This project is a testament to the education that the Superior Generals intended for the students of Saint Mary’s. By having access to the Rare Book Room, The Digital and Public Humanities students found books that had been donated by donors, former students, and by notable authors, to allow students to see the world from a single book. Additionally, their contributions to our Rare Book Room have allowed students, such as the students in the Digital Humanities Project Lab: The History of The Book. Students feel the spirit of the Sisters whose shoulders we stand upon as they flip through the pages of these rare books. Our Superior Generals are the reason why our Saint Mary’s has our own Rare Book Room.