What six Catholic nuns began in 1860 with just one week’s preparation, only war, enemy army occupation and a deadly epidemic have ever been able to stop — and then, only temporarily.

This month, the Catholic education movement started by the Religious Sisters of Mercy and continued and built upon by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart and the Sisters of the Holy Spirit is being celebrated with a series of special events centered at Vicksburg Catholic School and the Southern Cultural Heritage Center, the birthplace of Catholic education in the River City.

“One hundred and fifty years ago, the Sisters of Mercy founded St. Francis Xavier on the basis of education and Christian beliefs, and today, I would like to think we are still honoring those founding beliefs,” said VCS Advisory Council President John Paris. “It really is an honor for all members of the advisory council to be serving during this celebration year.”