Mother Mary Joseph Prout—also known as Elizabeth Prout—is The Prout School’s namesake and the foundress of the Sisters of the Cross and Passion.
On September 2, 2020, the Sisters of the Cross and Passion observed 200 years since Elizabeth's birth. The celebration Mass took place in the Cathedral Church of Our Lady Help of Christians and Saint Peter of Alcantara in Elizabeth's hometown.
Bishop Mark Davies, who presided over the Mass, said, “[Elizabeth] saw clearly that it was only by discovering that we are loved by God that the innate and eternal worth of every human life is recognized and held secure.”
Elizabeth truly recognized the “worth of every human life.” According to an article by the Catholic News Agency, she became a nun at 28 and moved to Manchester, England. While there she taught and worked with some of the most vulnerable populations at the time: factory workers, women, and Irish migrants. Multiple schools and hostels were opened, thanks to the involvement of Elizabeth, as she improved the lives of the impoverished in Manchester and beyond. Although Elizabeth passed away due to tuberculosis in 1864, her mission continued on.
When The Prout School opened in Wakefield in 1966, nine Sisters of the Cross and Passion were amongst the first faculty and staff. Through their dedication, Elizabeth’s devotion to teaching and her deep love for God and humanity are reflected in the teachers and students today. The school encourages students to live lives of faith and kindness as Elizabeth did, through celebrating Mass and initiating and participating in numerous service projects.
“Of all the ministries that the Sisters have founded, our school is the only one that bears her name,” says Principal Dave Estes, “As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of her birth, I am humbled by her courage to serve children during the difficult conditions found in her day.”