Founding of Society of Atonement with Mother Lurana

Founding of Society of Atonement with Mother Lurana

On December 15, 1898 Mother Lurana left her home in Warwick, NY for Graymoor to establish a Foundation for the Society of the Atonement. Three Episcopal women had acquired an abandoned and desecrated Chapel there, St. John in the Wilderness. Inspired by the story of St. Francis restoring the Church of San Damiano they renovated the old building and in 1893 convinced the Episcopal diocese in New York to rededicate the chapel. The women were hoping Franciscans would settle nearby and Sister Lurana accepted the invitation together with Fr. Wattson to make a foundation there for the Society of the Atonement. December 15 is now celebrated by the Friars and Sisters as Foundation Day.