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Sister Jerome Frede, OSB papers

 Collection
Identifier: OSBCHI-D-FREDJERO

Scope and Contents

This collection includes biographical information and personal papers. Biographical information obituaries, jubilee and funeral materials, teaching certifications, ministry lists, jubilarian questionnaires, a personal data sheet, diplomas, nearest of kin contact information, prayer cards, biographical notes, and photographs.

Papers contain an array of materials that reflect Sister's work and ministry, both during her teaching career and after her retirement. Included are personal and professional correspondence, academic transcripts, certificates for volunteer work, and teaching contracts. Several artefacts, such as a handmade collaged prayer book, a centenary commemoration booklet for Saint Benedict Church in Nebraska, and information on Sister Jerome's extended family represent Sister's continued connection to her family and hometown, as well as her creativity as a woman religious. Finally, the series "Ministry to the incarcerated" contains materials related to her work with the incarcerated of Cook County Jail, with which she corresponded and for which she handmade small prayer books. While Sister Jerome's artistry is highlighted in an example prayer book included in this series, additional artworks produced by incarcerated persons in the correspondence sub-series are evidence of a reciprocal creative relationship.

Dates

  • Creation: 1907-1997

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Sisters' papers are restricted for 50 years after the Sister's death. Photographs, previously published, and widely distributed materials are unrestricted.

Biographical / Historical

Sister Jerome Frede, OSB was born Catherine Christine in Watson, Missouri on February 10th, 1908. As a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Alamosa, Colorado, she got to know the Benedictine Sisters from their work in religious education classes and retreats in Canon City, Colorado. She joined the community along with her natural sister, Sister Ambrose, on September 1st, 1931, making her perpetual profession in 1936.

Besides earning her Bachelor's degree from Saint Paul University, she continued her education through different certificate and volunteer programs. She took part in workshops featuring topics such as the teaching of Christian Doctrine, shelter management, and work with the elderly and dying. Sister also served as a teacher at various schools in Illinois and Colorado. She taught in the religious education program of Saint Mary Parish, religious education summer classes in Colorado, as well as in the Chicago Youth Organization program.

After she retired from teaching, Sister corresponded with and made prayerbooks for the prisoners of Cook County Jail. Sister Jerome died at the age of 89 in Saint Joseph Court on October 24th, 1997. She is buried in All Saints Cemetery, beside her natural sister, Sister Ambrose.

Extent

.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Metadata Rights Declarations

  • License: This record is made available under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Creative Commons license.
Title
A Guide to Sister Jerome Frede, OSB papers
Author
Clara Finkelstein
Date
2025-10-07
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago Archives Repository

Contact:
Archives
Benedictine Sisters of Chicago
7430 N. Ridge Blvd.
Chicago Illinois 60645 United States
(773) 764-2413 ext. 203