A LATE, SIGNIFICANT, VOCATION

Ellen Javete, born in Ireland in 1833, came to the very new Sisters of the Holy Family as a widow at age 42.  She had originally immigrated to New Orleans with her husband Hippolye, but he was killed in the War between the States, and she came west to San Francisco where her cousins lived, bringing her three children with her. Her oldest son, Louis (he was 20 years old), became the cook for Archbishop Alemany and Father Prendergast at Old St. Mary?s Cathedral on California Street. This must be how she learned of the newly founded society of the Holy Family.  Ellen was greatly attracted to the idea of becoming an active religious in service to others, but she had a loving responsibility to her children to consider -- William was 18 or 19, and Maria Louisa was 17.  So, Sister Dolores and Ellen worked out an inventive ?entrance? for her into the infant Community.  Ellen came during the day and worked as a Sister of the Holy Family, and went home in the late afternoon to care for her family until everyone was old enough to be on their own.  Then she officially became a full-time religious.  The Community dated her entrance from her first appearance on the scene, in January of 1875, even though she was not able to live immediately at the sisters? house.

Sister Magdalene was Ellen?s religious name, the third permanent member of the little Community.  She assisted as housekeeper and cook at home and worked for the families of St. Joseph?s Parish, San Francisco.  As an older, experienced woman she filled in and gave spiritual instructions to the fledgling group when Sr. Dolores was absent.  She sat at the bedside of many dying poor persons and was known to baptize those who wished it when there was no time to call for a priest.  In January of 1886 Sister Magdalene Javete, not yet having made her final vows, died, the first on the list of those who have gone before us into the eternal Family of the God she had served faithfully as wife, mother, religious and comforter of those in need.

Click to see these photos:

Louis Javet as a Police man.

A picture of Louis Javete?s children and grandchildren, some of the descendants of Magdalene Javete.