Short Biography: Elizabeth Lange

Elizabeth Lange was born either in 1784 or 1794 in Santiago De Cuba. Some people believe she was born in Haiti, but recent research shows she was born in Santiago De Cuba. She was raised in a primarily French speaking community, where she received an amazing education. In the early 1800's, Elizabeth left Cuba to settle in the United States where she could live in peace. The Providence directed her to Baltimore, Maryland where many French-speaking Catholic refugees from the Haitian Revolution were settling. By the time she had settled in Baltimore, it didn't take her long to realize the lack of education for the children of Caribbean immigrants. It was now her time to help those in need. Using her own money and home, Elizabeth opened free schooling to the children who couldn't
Archbishop Whitfield allowed Elizabeth and three other women to take the vow of chastity, obedience, and poverty. This simple vow began the order that is called the Oblate Sisters of Providence, this order is known as the first Roman Catholic religious institute begun for Catholic women of African descent. From that point on Elizabeth Lange was known as Mother Mary Lange. Lange was the Superior General of the order in the 1830's and worked tirelessly helping and teaching those who needed her. She assisted during two separate cholera epidemics, one in the early 1830's and another in the 1840's. She worked in domestic services and as the novice mistress as her new order began