When I was an aspirant at Overbrook, I was upper school surveillante general, class mistress for grade five, dorm mistress for the weekly boarders. At that time Harriot Benoist (RSCJ) was the mistress general. The school had a large day hop population, a good number of weekly boarders and a group of permanent boarders. The boarders were students from grades 7 through 12.
On the weekends, Harriot Beniost and I would think up ways to entertain the permanent boarders. We were still cloistered at this time. Parents and friends of Overbrook students would assist us in taking the students on an outing and at times we had in-house activities for the girls.
Every now and then we had a Sunday afternoon tea dance, and we would invite boys from the neighboring prep schools. The girls really liked this event. One Sunday afternoon, one of these dances was scheduled and the time for the arrival of the boys was fast approaching and – alas! – not a boy was to be seen on the horizon! A bit of a panic set in for the two of us. The Overbook girls were still fussing about getting dressed and dealing with their hair, etc. and they did not have a clue that no boys could be seen. Harriot said to me, “Come Dee,” and we walked toward the “prayer place” – a special place in the school for Mater, complete with picture, flowers, kneelers, etc. Almost a little chapel. Sister Benoist said we were going to talk to Mater about our little problem and ask her to help us. Her faith was much greater than mine! Together we knelt with Mater and implored her to intercede with her son and send us boys for the afternoon tea dance. Harriot prayed with great faith and I was gently pulled along, but with a bit of a doubt.
A little time passed - maybe 20 minutes or so – and voilà! One car drove to the front door and then another and then another - we could see moms or aunts or grandmothers or whoever dropping off boys. We smiled, breathed, sighed, thanked and the girl boarders arrived in their finery and the Sunday afternoon tea dance got underway
Harriot and I chaperoned the little dance and smiled at each other. I knew she was filled with gratitude to God and to Mater for a little “miracle.” My faith grew a bit that early spring afternoon at Overbrook many years ago. I don't think we ever told anyone about our little adventure with Mater. Until a few days ago, I had forgotten about this happening. I share it with you.
Dolores Copeland, RSCJ
