Mother Mary Cajetan Jankiewicz

Missioned to North America in 1874, Mother Mary Cajetan Jankiewicz laid the foundation for Felician schools in America. A certified teacher by profession, she set the pattern for the professional training of future teachers.

With Mother Monica, Mother Cajetan organized the first elementary school for American children of Polish descent in Polonia, Wisconsin. She would go on to organize parochial schools in LaSalle, Illinois; Bay City and Detroit, Michigan; Baltimore, Maryland; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

When Polish language school books were not available, Father Joseph Dabrowski installed a printing press and under his direction, Mother Cajetan compiled, edited, and printed them. When the school and convent burned down in Polonia, she traveled from state to state in the Midwest soliciting funds to rebuild.

In 1888, Mother Cajetan was appointed community supervisor of schools and prefect of studies. In 1894 she headed a commission of sisters who drew up a syllabus of studies for grade schools that remained in use until 1936.

Mother Cajetan had a personal interest in each child. She encouraged development of their God given talents. She was also genuinely interested in each sister — their health, work, spiritual life, and education. As provincial superior, her gentleness and deep sympathy for humanity won the sisters' confidence.

Her love extended to the struggling young men at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary with whom she shared the modest funds solicited for the convent, endearing her to them as the “Mother of Polish priests.”