Sister Anthony Babic

FEBRUARY 11, 1903 - AUGUST 10, 1950

Sister M. Anthony Babic was born on February 11, 1903, at Banska in Stiavnica, Slovakia, where she received in Baptism the name Mary. The little Mary enjoyed the natural beauties of her country but for a short time. At age 6, she came with her mother to America and settled in Creighton, Pa. At first, she attended the public school at Creighton. When the parish school was opened at St. Clement Parish in Tarentum in 1913, her pious mother sent her to the Sisters’ school, where Mary graduated in 1918. 

For some time after, she worked in several local stores, but God called her elsewhere. On January 26, 1920, she entered our community as a postulant at St. Gabriel Convent on Pittsburgh’s North Side. On August 16, 1920, she received the religious habit and also the name Sister Anthony. As a postulant and novice, she joined other young members of the community in preparing for diocesan examinations, and often helped them in their studies.

On August 17, 1921, Sister Anthony made her first vows. After novitiate, she taught at St. Mark School in McKees Rocks from 1921 to 1926. She was always busy in her work, which she did very conscientiously. On Saturdays, she attended Knights of Columbus Normal School in Pittsburgh, spending each vacation collecting funds for the Sisters’ proposed new motherhouse, Mount Assisi.

While teaching at St. Gabriel School during the 1926-1927 school term, Sister Anthony attended Duquesne University and assisted in teaching the postulants. From 1927 to 1929, she taught eighth grade at St. Mark School in McKees Rocks.  During this time the difficult county tests caused many a headache to the eighth-grade teachers. For the 1929-1930 term, Sister returned to St. Gabriel School where, on August 3, 1930, she made her final vows. 

Since there was a need for more teachers in the recently opened Mount Assisi Academy, Sister Anthony was sent to study at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa., earning at bachelor’s degree in 1931. While there, she was superior of Holy Family Convent. She was ready to teach commercial subjects. 

The following year she taught upper grades in Loraine, Ohio. From 1932 to 1935, Sister Anthony was a superior and taught grades seven and eight at St. John School in Barnsboro, Pa. For the following two years, she was superior and taught grade eight at St. Gabriel School, after which she returned for the next six years to her work in Barnsboro.

In 1943, Sister was appointed for mission work at St. Mary Church in McAdoo, Pa.  Besides teaching Catechism to students in all grade levels, she was occupied with church work. The altar soon became spotlessly clean and beautifully decorated. She was known as a very zealous in this work, sparing neither time nor effort in serving the dear Lord in his earthly home. After six years, she was transferred to Saints Cyril and Methodius Parish in Charleroi, Pa. While there, her health became weaker due to repeated falls, once from a ladder at McAdoo, and later from the steps in Charleroi.

In the summer of 1950, Sister Anthony was diagnosed with an advanced stage of cancer. On August 10, 1950, after receiving absolution and the Papal Blessing, she breathed her last. Our Sisters were shocked at the unexpected loss of a faithful Sister, who never refused a duty and was always smiling, patient and kind to everyone. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon her. 

Sister Anthony is buried in St. Francis Cemetery at Mt. Assisi Place in Pittsburgh, Pa.