Wreath on the St Mary's Orphanage Memorial
On September 8th, 1900, a Category 4 hurricane swept over Galveston, Texas, killing over 8,000 people.
During the hurricane, the St. Mary's Orphanage was wiped off the face of the earth.

The Orphanage was located on the beach at 57th street directly in the storm’s path.
The staff consisted of 10 nuns who attempted to save the 93 children.
Each sister tied themselves around their waistline to about nine orphans with clothesline.

As conditions worsened everyone sought shelter in the girls’ second story dormitory.
The sisters attempted to calm their charges by singing the hymn Queen of the Waves.
The roof collapsed, killing all the sisters and 90 of the children.
All that was left of the Orphanage were a few bricks.
The victims’ bodies were found as far as away as three miles from the site,
still linked together in deathly chains of rope.

Today, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word have spread their ministry to communities throughout Texas
as well as to Louisiana, Arkansas, Utah and California. The Congregation also maintains ministries in Ireland, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Kenya.

On September 8, no matter where they are, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word sing "Queen of the Waves"
to remember the Sisters, children and all those who faced the Great 1900 Storm.