Heroic Nun(s)

Okay, here’s an oddity from 1959. A racehorse named “Heroic Nun.”

Sorce: Pittston, PA Gazette, June 20, 1959

And the real nun whose heroics inspired the naming? A diligent search of the 1950s for Labriola’s story of a nun saving two children from drowning turned up nil, but a story of three nuns saving one young lad did surface. This in the Philadelphia Inquirer:

Philadelphia Inquirer, November 2, 1942.

Note that the heroic sisters “plunged fully clothed” into the water to save young Alfred. This would seem to mean they were wearing the 1940s habits of their congregation as seen in the photo below from the Medical Mission Sisters website.

Source: Medical Mission Sisters.org

If you’re not familiar with the Medical Mission Sisters - the first group of Catholic Sisters to be engaged in the full range of medical care¹ - you can visit their website here to learn more.

Oh, as for the horse named “Heroic Nun” - the filly triumphed at the 1959 Pinafore Stakes at Suffolk Downs in Boston. The winner paid $10.00, $3.60, and $3.00.

1. Medical Mission Sisters website.