Book on nursing history shared with Pope Leo XIV
Carolyn Smeltzer, an SCNA Candidate and longtime supporter of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, recently received confirmation that a book she coauthored is now part of the Vatican.
Last fall, Carolyn sent the book through the Chicago Cardinal to Pope Leo XIV. The book documents the Chicago Nurse Parade, a public recognition of nurses that took place nearly every year from 1949 to 1959. Nurses from the hospital where the pope was born were among those recognized in the parade.
Earlier this year, Carolyn received a brief letter of thanks from the Vatican confirming receipt of the book.
““In the fall, I sent a book through the Chicago Cardinal that I thought Pope Leo XIV would find interesting. Chicago’s Nurse Parade was written by myself, along with Frances Vlasses and Connie Robinson. I highlighted the pages that included nurses from the hospital where the pope was born. The Chicago Nurse Parade was the only nurse parade that ran for nearly 10 consecutive years, from 1949 to 1958, recognizing the work of nurses. The parade began at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica and was started by the Servites. We recently received a thank-you from Pope Leo XIV, confirming that the book is now in the Vatican.”
The Chicago Nurse Parade began at Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica and was organized with the support of the Servites. For nearly a decade, nurses marched publicly as their work was recognized. The parade later ended and is no longer widely known.
Carolyn is a registered nurse and health care leader who has served on national boards connected to Catholic health systems. She has written multiple books focused on nursing and health care history. She has also participated in volunteer immersion trips with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth to India and Nepal.
She is currently in formation as an SCN Associate.