p 122 -
... The month of July witnessed another religious profession. Miss Elizabeth Smith had finished her probation, and made
her vows on the 20th of said month, in her 23d year. She had taken in religion the name of Sister Delphina of the Mother of God. She was born in Frederick County, Maryland, and her parents were Mr. John Smith and Elizabeth Fenwick, daughter of Ignatius Fenwick. ...
p 198 -
... On April 14th, 1833, the elections took place, at which Archbishop Whitfield presided. Sister Delphina of the Annunciation, Elizabeth Smith, became Prioress. ...
p 245 -
... On August 13th, 1851, the elections took place at the Convent and Mother Delphina of the Annunciation, Elizabeth Smith, was elected Prioress. ...
p 250 -
... Mother Delphina's term of office being ended, on the 12th of August, 1854, she was succeeded by Sister Teresa of Jesus, Juliana Sewall. ...
p 261 -
... ... on the 2nd of December [1855], Mother Delphina of the Annunciation, Elizabeth Smith, sub-prioress of the monastery, died in the 66th year of her age and the 43rd of her religious profession.
Mother Delphina was very exact and punctual in the observance of the rule. On a certain occasion a lady from a distant city was visiting the convent, and her brother, who accompanied her, had gone to attend to some business. Whilst she was conversing with Mother Delphina, the bell rang for prayer. The religious immediately arose and politely requesting the lady to wait until the arrival of her brother, excused herself for leaving her alone, saying, ” My child, you know the bell is the voice of God.”
Her spirit of recollection impressed all who saw her, and she always endeavored to instil into the minds of her novices a firm conviction of the necessity of interior recollection and union with God in the midst of exterior occupations. Our Lord tried his servant during many years, by means of bodily sufferings. Towards the end of her life she was afflicted with a complication of diseases, added to dropsy, which reduced her to a most painful state. Being unable to lie down on account of the pressure on her chest, and too weak to sit up, she was placed in a large chair, her swollen feet supported on pillows and her head tied by a bandage to the back of the chair, as she had not sufficient strength to keep it in its natural position without a support. She remained in this suffering state for many weeks, a subject of edification and admiration to the community by her heroic patience and perfect resignation to the holy Will of God. She had the happiness of receiving the last Sacraments. ...
