top of page
Mother Alfred Moes
Rochester, Minnesota was devastated by a tornado in 1883. This motivated Mother Alfred Moes to partner with Dr. William W. Mayo to establish a hospital. Six years later, Saint Mary’s Hospital opened with 27 beds. Today, the hospital forms part of the Mayo Clinic, one of the top hospitals in the United States. But what is the story behind this strong-willed woman?
Pictured: Mother Alfred Moes. Luxembourg American Cultural Society Archives.
Mother Alfred Moes: About My Project
Maria Catherine Josephine Moes was born in Remich, Luxembourg in 1828 and at the age of 23, she immigrated to the United States with her sister. In 1854, she took religious vows with the Marianites of Holy Cross in Indiana and changed her name to Sister Alfred. In 1863, the opportunity arose to leave the Marianites and she was accepted into the Third Order of St. Francis, which began working in Joliet, Illinois. The Order mostly worked with children but soon expanded, leading to the establishment of the St. Francis Academy, a boarding school for students and orphans. By 1874, the Sisters had built a new St. Francis Academy, teaching girls aged 3 through 20 and drawing students from across the nation.
​
Photo: Home and iron work shop of Moes family in Remich, Luxembourg. Luxembourg American Cultural Society Archives.
Following a disagreement with the local bishop, Mother Alfred was assigned to Rochester, Minnesota to build a school. In 1877, twenty-three sisters moved with her to Rochester to develop and staff the school. The sisters set their attention to health care after the tornado and began their work with the hospital and Mayo Clinic.
Mother Alfred died on December 18, 1899 at the age of seventy-two.
​
Photo: Bronze statues of Mother Alfred Moes and Dr. William Worrall Mayo found in front of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Luxembourg American Cultural Society Archives.
Mother Alfred Moes: Other Projects
Mother Alfred Moes: Text
bottom of page