NDNU Foundresses’ Week

   Foundresses’ Week is a special week long celebration held at Notre Dame de Namur University. Each day holds a special events were the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur are honored for their many years of dedicated work to the community they have served. On February 9, 2016, Sr. Roseanne Murphy gave a campus tour. She began with the Story of Saint Julie Billiart, an amazing handicapped woman who escaped persecution with the help of her niece, and other people who cherished her. She escaped assassination and relocated, and established the congregation in Amiens, France in 1804. By 1809 the government moved the congregation to Namur, Belgium. Nearly forty years later the Congregation was invited to expand in the United States leading the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur taking a dangerous boat trip that eventually ending up in Oregon. During this time Oregon was not populated making it difficult for the sisters to establish themselves comfortably. In the mist of the Gold Rush they received an invitation leading them to find a new home in San Jose, CA. Interestingly enough by the suggestion of Jesuit Fathers who had Society of Jesus in Santa Clara later known as Santa Clara University these amazing women began to offer other women an opportunity to receive an education. They purchased property on Notre Dame whose cross street is Santa Clara, now it is taken over by what is known to be Downtown San Jose. With the rapidly growing city they had no other choice but to relocate once more leading them to Belmont, California.
   The Ralston Hall Mansion has an interesting back story. Originally it was the villa of Count Leonetto Cipriani, the former owner of the estate prior to being purchased by William "Billy" Chapman Ralston. Ralston was a lover of the steamboat, and used a combination of architectural inspirations to build is grand country house. He was a man who seemed to love the finer things in life, but was bitter and cold. It is said that he once loved a woman whose family did not approve of him, forcing the young woman to move away, in time she fell ill and died. Ralston lost the love his life and was forced into a loveless marriage where he told his bride, he would never love her and wore a locket with a picture of his lost love for many years. However, he did benefit from his marriage procreating five children with his wife. Near the end of his life he decided to change his will, leaving his family to fend for their own. He chose to leave the home to his mistress, soon after having an unexplained death in the waters of San Francisco. The mansion since then has been home to others, and by the 1930's it was purchased by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
   At the time of purchase of the Ralston Estate there was only a farm and the mansion, it was isolated in Belmont, California. The sister eventually reestablished what they had created in San Jose, California. Other buildings like Cuvilly and Saint Mary's were erected, the dormitories we also part of the expansion. What Sr.Roseanne spoke fondly about what the development of the Church and their windows. Crafted in Europe and shipped to the United States, the widows were created and later sent to their new home. The craftsmanship on the glass was a perfect fit with frame made in the US. Each window holds biblical symbolism of triumphant women. Prior to the church, mass was held in the ballroom of the Ralston Mansion.
   One last thing that made the tour amazing was the cute little grotto next to art gallery. Although, the garden is small and hidden from direct view, the garden is beautiful and meaningful. NDNU seems to be filled with history and forever be a diamond in the rough.