On the night of a full moon, which was also Friday the 13th, the Magevney Society held a high requiem Mass (in the Extraordinary Form) in remembrance of prominent Memphis historical figure Mother Mary Agnes Magevney (1841–1891). The Mass was held at St. Peter Church in downtown Memphis.
She was the first child of Eugene and Mary Magevney, who arrived in Memphis when its population was only about 1,000. It is believed that the first Catholic Mass in Memphis was celebrated in their home.
St. Peter’s is located at 190 Adams Ave in downtown Memphis, next door to the original Magevney family home, one of the oldest homes standing in Memphis. It has long been called “The Cradle of Catholicism” in Memphis.
Mother Mary Agnes’s baptism was held in the parlor of the home and is the first Catholic baptism recorded in West Tennessee. She was educated at St. Agnes Academy in Memphis and later became a sister. In 1882, she traveled by train to Galveston, Texas, which was in dire need of teachers, to start a Dominican congregation.
Many ladies who attended the recent High Requiem Mass wore veils; being in Extraordinary Form, the Mass was celebrated entirely in Latin with the celebrant, Rev. Yoelvis Gonzalez, facing the altar. Complete traditional vestments were worn.
Incense rose into the rafters as powerful sacred harmonies, sung by the Memphis Renaissance Schola, flowed down from the choir loft. The Requiem Mass music was composed by Tomas Luis de Victoria (c.1548-1611) and is considered to be his masterpiece.
“This is in fulfillment of one of her dying requests,” said Michael A. Beauregard, who founded the Magevney Society, a small group of Memphians who are trying to draw attention to the virtuous life of Mother Mary Agnes. She suffered terribly towards the end of her life, offered up her suffering, and made a specific request on her deathbed for the faithful to offer Masses for her soul.
“I started researching her life more in-depth about three years ago and was captivated by her life of redemptive suffering and her piety. I desired to learn as much as I could about this person from our own city who clearly lived for the glory of God and worked for the salvation of souls.” said Beuregard.
Remaining in the collection of her belongings is a handkerchief that was used to wipe away her last tears.
Some of the personal effects of Mother Mary Magevney were displayed at St. Peter's after the requiem Mass (some for the very first time) and will stay on display between Sept. 11 and mid-October.
“Mother Mary Magevney led an incredible life and she endured incredible sufferings for the good of others during her life. “ said Beauregard. “We want to promote her life as a life of inspiration to others.”
The stories are well documented by first hand accounts and it is through that information that so much is known about her life and especially her love of God.
Standing in the living room where Magevney was brought up, Sr. Deborah Coffey, OSB, of Holy Angels Convent, said many of the saints offered their suffering for the salvation of others. “ Many of the great saints do that and this is another modern day example. “
“This requiem Mass is in fulfillment of her dying request to have masses said for her soul” said Beauregard. “She is the first daughter of the Catholic church in west Tennessee. Here we have a great individual in our own back yard and someone who is not well known. “
Speaking of the Magevney House, Beauregard said “It is truly a local treasure because of its age, history, and its ties with early Catholicism in West Tennessee. One of the most interesting pieces in the house is the original bureau that was improvised as an altar in 1839 for the first Catholic Mass in Memphis (at least since the time the city was founded in 1819).” he explains. “I was captivated by her life of redemptive suffering and her piety. “
The Magevney Society members plan to wait and see how the Catholics of Memphis receive the story of her virtuous life. If people here are very interested in helping promote her life, at that point they may ask the church to proclaim her a servant of God.
By Karen Pulfer Focht – Photojournalist ©
SEE THIS STORY IN PRINT IN THE NOVEMBER FAITH MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF MEMPHIS.