Monday, July 21, 2008

The Four Sisters


In 1898, four Daughters of Charity founded St. Vincent's Hospital, the city's oldest hospital.  Here they are depicted wearing a more modern,  metallic version of the very recognizable habits of their day.  St. Vincent's Hospital advertises that they are "where babies come from."  For our family that is absolutely true.  My two daughters and 5 grandchildren were all born there.  The hospital has grown and grown over the years, but continues to give the same excellent, compassionate care that it is known for.  I live near this hospital and always enjoy seeing the Four Sisters as I pass by.

Thanks to my friend Amy who tells me that this sculpture was done by Birmingham artist Brad Morton.

19 comments:

Olivier said...

une statue originale, qui en plus te rappelle que de bon souvenir.

an original statue, which reminds you more than good memories.

angela said...

Very pleasing statue and it really does look like nuns' headgear.

Rob said...

Love the 'habit' style statues here, interesting an appealing!

Small City Scenes said...

A great sculpture--reminds me of 'The Flying Nun'. Our hospital out here is run by the Sister of Providence. good hospital.
Thanks for visiting my blog. MB

monkeyseemonkeydontdo said...

I got this blog off a friend of mine and I LOVE IT!!! Lived in alabama 32 years, in b'ham most of that time and I have been sour towards it lately b/c of the bad press you hear on the news....you have opened my eyes to another side of the city....thanks!

Virginia said...

Glad to have new viewers especially ones from right here in B'h'am!

Janet Kincaid said...

Wow! Cool photo and really neat sculpture.

Bob Crowe said...

I guess I can see nuns here but they look much more like garden tools to me. All those years with the Sisters of Mercy may have done something to my perception.

IamtheMom said...

You bring up a good point that we seldom think about -- the long term family tradition and commitment to a hospital. You do think about them so much until suddenly they are not there.

Virginia said...

Strangetastes,
The Sisters of Mercy did all they could , I'm sure. Heaven help 'em.

alice said...

In France too, till after WW2, sisters of Saint Vincent de Paul have been looking after mothers and babies in maternity hospitals and they wore this typical headdress called in French "une cornette".
Thank you so much, Virginia, for your daily visits to Arradon DP. I know how frustrating it is to have many things to say and to be restrained by a lack of vocabulary in a foreign language... I feel the same thing every day in English (and hope my comments are not too stuffed with mistakes...)

Nathalie H.D. said...

Very nice sculpture and story.

My own family story is more mobile: I was born in Paris, my twins in Tahiti and my youngest daughter in Avignon.

Jane Hards Photography said...

Interesting. Not my thing, bit thsy certainly too. Very stiking image though.

Janet said...

As many times as we have been to St. Vincent's, I had never noticed these. Truly lovely!
I can vouch for the quality care at that hospital. They provide holistic care to the patients and their families. Never had a negative experience at this hospital.

Virginia said...

Alice, you are absolutely correct about their origin in France. You win the history prize today! Votre anglais est tres bon mon ami.

Ming the Merciless said...

I guess that is as good an answer as any when little kids ask where babies come from. :-)

Kate said...

I love these contemporary sculptures! They beautifully depict the nuns, and what a treasure to have for an institution that you obviously respect a great deal!

Dina said...

Ha! I love the sisters! And your great story to go with it.

PeterParis said...

A wonderful sculpture of the Four Sisters!!