Guide to the Mother Mary Matthew Doyle Papers, 1934-1960

(bulk 1947-1948)

Salve Regina University Archives
McKillop Library
100 Ochre Point Ave.
Newport, RI 02840
Tel: 401-341-2276
Fax: 401-341-2951
email: archives@salve.edu

Published in 2010

Collection Overview

Title:	Mother Mary Matthew Doyle Papers
Date range:	1934-1960, (bulk 1947-1948)
Creator:	Doyle, Mary Matthew, Mother, R.S.M.
Extent:	.208 linear feet (1 document box) linear feet
Abstract:	This collection contains biographical information and correspondence relating to Mother Mary Matthew Doyle, first President of Salve Regina University, 1947-1948.
Physical location:	Row 2, Unit 2, Shelf 3
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Salve Regina University Archives
Collection number:	RG3.1.1

Scope & content

The Mother Mary Matthew Doyle Papers deal primarily with her correspondence with various people concerning the opening of Salve Regina College, its activities and financial matters. Prominent are interactions with religious and members of clergy, including the Mother General of the Sisters of Mercy, Bishop Francis P. Keough of the Diocese of Providence, and letters to the Sisters of Provincial House.

Also contained are papers relating her biographical information, including an obituary from the Providence Visitor and several Mass cards.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Doyle, Mary Matthew, Mother, R.S.M.
• Keough, Francis P., Bishop
• Moore, Cornelius C.

Subject Organizations

• Salve Regina College
• Catholic Church. Diocese of Providence (R.I.)
• Sisters of Mercy (Providence, R.I.)

Subject Topics

• Catholic universities and colleges
• College presidents - Records and correspondence

Subject Topics

• Education

Subject Topics

• Articles
• Correspondence

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into two series:

• Series 1: Biographical Information
• Series 2: Correspondence Regarding Salve Regina (1934-1949)

Biographical note

Mother Mary Matthew Doyle (born Catherine Margaret Doyle) was born on May 8, 1870 in Providence, Rhode Island. She entered St. Francis Xavier Convent in 1890 and was professed in 1892. Her early years in education were spent at St. Mary's Bay View, until she was asked to return to St. Xavier's Convent as Mother Assistant in 1910. Just six years later she was named Mother Superior (Reverend Mother). When the Sisters of Mercy in Rhode Island formed the Province of Providence, she was elected as the first Mother Provincial, a post she held from 1929 to 1936, and later from 1942-1948, with intervals as Assistant Provincial in between. Under her guidance, in 1932 the Sisters of Mercy adopted Belize as its foreign mission, and she made several visits to that country.

Mother Mary Matthew took a great interest in the education of her Sisters and for her efforts was herself rewarded with an honorary M.A. degree from Providence College in 1926 and an Ed.D. from the Catholic Teachers College in 1932.

While Mother Provincial for the Sisters of Mercy in Providence, she became one of Salve Regina's first incorporators and was elected First Vice-President and First Vice-Chairman of the Members-of-the-Corporation. She was also named to the Board of Directors of Salve Regina. When Salve Regina College was opened in 1947, Mother Mary Matthew became its first President. Concerned with the college's financial needs, she and Vice President Sister Mary Hilda Miley formed the first Advisory Board in 1948. Following the school's first year, Mother Mary Matthew stepped down as President and was succeeded by Sister Mary Hilda Miley. She became ill in 1950 but lived until 1960, when she died at Mount St. Rita Convent on June 7.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	This collection is open to the public.
Use of the materials:	Various copying restriction apply, according to the Archives' use policy. Guidelines are available from the Salve Regina University Archives. Salve Regina University owns the copyright to material produced by employees and trustees of the University and work for hire. Requests for permission to publish material from the University Archives should be directed to the Archivist. See also the Archives' copyright and publication statement.
Preferred citation:	[Identification of item], in RG 3.1.1: Mother Mary Matthew Doyle Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Salve Regina University Archives, McKillop Library, Salve Regina University, Newport, RI
Contact information:	Salve Regina University Archives McKillop Library 100 Ochre Point Ave. Newport, RI 02840 Tel: 401-341-2276 Fax: 401-341-2951 email: archives@salve.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	Material was found in the University Archives in 2006 with no transfer records, information on provenance, or original order. Collection was reprocessed by Erica Cataldi, Archives Intern, in 2010. Correspondence folders were arranged alphabetically by subject. Folders containing opening invitations and RSVP cards, Generalate Quarterly excerpts and opening speech by Reverend John Kenny were moved to Institutional History record group. Photocopies onto acid-free paper were made of newspaper articles; Mass cards were placed into envelope for security. Additional accruals are not expected.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Erica Cataldi.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Erica Cataldi 2010 November 18
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Related material:

RG 1: Institutional HistoryRG 2: University GovernanceRG 3: Office of the President

Inventory

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