Memoir recalls Albany years

"Their critics cannot conceive of their motives, so they misjudge them, ridicule them and try to ignore the true meaning of their lives," she said.

In her new book, "Eulogy," Mrs. Blanchard provides some insight into the lives of women religious. She is not an outsider looking in. From 1950 to 1969, as Sister Mary Irene, RSM, she taught in various schools in the Albany Diocese. She still has great fondness for the order and other women religious.

"The fact that I [didn't remain] a nun never lessened my admiration for their sacrifices," she writes.

Closeness still exists between Mrs. Blanchard and her former order. In fact, the Sisters of Mercy are hosting an autograph party for the book she began writing eight years ago after the death of her mother.

"I fell into a world of memories of my family and friends and the 20 years I had spent as a Sister of Mercy," she said. "The candy-gauze life I had experienced growing up and in my early years in the convent had disappeared along with the ideals that encouraged it to thrive. History is being written by those who weren't there and don't know. Who would tell the stories?"

The book chronicles Mrs. Blanchard's experiences from first meeting Sisters of Mercy at St. Teresa of Avila School in Albany as a fourth grader to her mother's funeral at the Motherhouse 23 years after Mrs. Blanchard left the order.

Her decision to leave was not an easy one -- nor was her decision to enter since her family didn't support her choice.

"In my heart, I knew I'd be one of them someday," she writes. "It was a decision that had crept up on me. Not one incident, not a moment I could pinpoint. I woke up one morning and couldn't see myself doing anything else. Imagine, knowing at 12 years old what you want to do with your life."

Finally, as a high school senior, she told her parents of her decision. They asked that she go to college first and were concerned because they didn't think her personality was suited for religious life. Her father told her that if she left home before turning 18, he would have her arrested and removed from the convent. She took classes at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, then left to enter the convent at 18.

"I'm sure they had mixed emotions when I decided to leave [the convent]," she said. "They were sad that my life had not turned out the way I wanted but happy that we could enjoy a more natural family life."

Leaving the convent also did not diminish her relationships with the Sisters of Mercy. "I am looking forward to seeing my old friends [at the book-signing]," she said. "The event has mushroomed into luncheon dates with grade school chums I haven't seen in 50 years, and meeting some of my former teachers at St. Joseph's Provincial House in Latham. But best of all, I'm anticipating meeting the Sisters and all my old friends at the Mercy Center."

("Eulogy" by Mary Bergan Blanchard is available through 1st Books Library. A book signing will be held June 11, 2-4 p.m. at the Mercy Center, Albany. For information, call 437-3015.)

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