The "Martyrs of Memphis", 1878

We give you thanks and praise, O God of compassion, for

the heroic witness of Constance and her companions, who,

in a time of plague and pestilence, were steadfast in their care

for the sick and dying, and loved not their own lives, even

unto death: Inspire in us a like love and commitment to those

in need, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ;

who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God,

now and for ever. Amen.

Episcopal nuns and priests who died from the epidemic:

* Sister Constance (neé Caroline Louise Darling, b. Medway, Mass., 1846), superior of the work at Memphis, headmistress of St. Mary’s School for Girls.

* Sister Thecla, sacristan of St. Mary’s Cathedral and its school chapel, Memphis, instructor in music and grammar (English and Latin)

* Sister Ruth, nurse at Trinity Infirmary, New York

* Sister Frances, a newly professed nun given charge of the Church Home orphanage, Memphis

* The Rev. Charles Carroll Parsons, rector of Grace Episcopal Church, Memphis; former U.S. Army artillery commander, West Point alumnus and professor; served with classmate, Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, in Kansas, defense counsel in Custer's 1867 court-martial trial.

* The Rev. Louis S. Schuyler, newly ordained assistant rector at Parsons' prior parish, Holy Innocents Episcopal Church, Hoboken, New Jersey