The Sister Ignatia Collection

Two Personally Inscribed Books by Sister Ignatia with A.A. & Devotional Historical Material

An exceptional collection centered around Sister Mary Ignatia Gavin, S.P.A., the pioneering hospital administrator whose work alongside Dr. Bob Smith helped establish one of the earliest models for the treatment of alcoholics within a hospital setting.

At the heart of the collection are two books personally inscribed and signed by Sister Ignatia, dated nine years apart: a devotional volume presented in 1948, during the years of her work with Dr. Bob at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, and a First Printing of Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age inscribed by her in 1957.

Accompanying the books is a carefully assembled group of historical and devotional material reflecting Sister Ignatia’s spirituality, her work with alcoholics, and her lasting place within Alcoholics Anonymous history.

Together, these pieces offer an unusually personal look at one of the most beloved figures in early A.A. history.

Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age — First Printing, 1957

Personally Inscribed & Signed by Sister Ignatia — October 24, 1957

A First Printing of Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age: A Brief History of A.A., published in 1957 by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.

The copyright page carries the “First Edition H-G” designation identifying the first printing, and the book retains its original dust jacket.

Most importantly, Sister Ignatia filled the front endpaper with a large handwritten presentation inscription dated October 24, 1957:

“To my esteemed
friend Dr. [illegible]
But for the grace of God
your kind understanding
and professional care
Where would I be??
Your grateful patient
in Pito
Sister M. Ignatia
S.P.A.
Oct. 24, 1957”

The inscription is particularly interesting because Sister Ignatia identifies herself not in her familiar role as caregiver, but as a “grateful patient,” thanking a physician for his “kind understanding and professional care.”

The recipient’s surname has not been conclusively deciphered, and no identification is offered beyond what can be established from the inscription itself.

The date adds another layer of significance. By 1957, Sister Ignatia had already spent many years caring for alcoholics and had become an important participant in the history documented within the very book she was inscribing.

A personally inscribed First Printing of A.A.’s own early history, signed by a woman who directly participated in that history, makes this an especially meaningful association copy.

The Following of Christ — Thomas à Kempis, 1941

Personally Inscribed & Signed by Sister Ignatia — October 31, 1948

The second signed book takes the collection nearly a decade earlier.

This small devotional copy of The Following of Christ was personally presented by Sister Ignatia to Mr. Harry Steiner on October 31, 1948.

Her inscription fills the opening page:

“To
Mr. Harry Steiner
Oct. 31, 1948
May God bless you
and yours always
May He keep you
ever close to His
Sacred Heart
Sister M. Ignatia
Please say a little
prayer for me.”

It is an intimate example of Sister Ignatia’s personal spirituality, ending with the wonderfully human request:

“Please say a little prayer for me.”

The 1948 date places the inscription directly within the period when Sister Ignatia and Dr. Bob were caring for alcoholics at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron.

Her handwritten reference to the Sacred Heart is also noteworthy. Sacred Heart devotion was deeply connected with Sister Ignatia’s faith and later became closely associated with her work among alcoholic patients.

The book’s exterior previously carried tape and attached paper material. These have been carefully removed, substantially improving the presentation of the original cover. Evidence of age and the previous attachment remains and can be seen in the photographs.

Sister Ignatia and the Early Treatment of Alcoholism

Born Bridget Della Mary Gavin, Sister Ignatia entered the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and became one of the most consequential figures in the early history of organized alcoholism treatment.

Her story became intertwined with Alcoholics Anonymous through Dr. Robert H. Smith — “Dr. Bob,” co-founder of A.A.

At a time when alcoholism was still widely viewed as a moral failing rather than an illness deserving compassionate medical care, Sister Ignatia helped open hospital doors to alcoholics.

Working with Dr. Bob at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, she provided patients with medical care, dignity, structure, spiritual encouragement, and perhaps most importantly, the opportunity for a new beginning.

Her influence eventually extended beyond Akron. Sister Ignatia later continued her work at St. Vincent Charity Hospital in Cleveland, where she developed an alcoholism treatment program and continued caring for alcoholics for years.

Her extraordinary compassion and dedication ultimately earned her an enduring place in recovery history and the affectionate title:

“The Angel of Alcoholics Anonymous.”

Additional Historical & Devotional Material

The two personally inscribed books form the centerpiece of the collection. They are accompanied by several pieces that provide additional context to Sister Ignatia’s life, spirituality, work with alcoholics, and legacy.

Sister Ignatia: Angel of Alcoholics Anonymous — Mary C. Darrah

Included is a hardcover copy of Mary C. Darrah’s Sister Ignatia: Angel of Alcoholics Anonymous, published by Loyola University Press in 1992, with its dust jacket.

Darrah’s biography documents Sister Ignatia’s life and extraordinary role in the treatment of alcoholism and provides an excellent historical reference to accompany the original material in this collection.

Confidence in God — Devotional Booklet

Also included is a vintage copy of Confidence in God, a small devotional booklet compiled from the writings of Rev. Daniel Considine, S.J.

The title has a meaningful historical connection to Sister Ignatia’s ministry because Confidence in God was among the devotional literature she was known to give to alcoholic patients.

These small religious texts reflected an important aspect of her approach to recovery: providing patients with spiritual encouragement they could carry with them after leaving the hospital.

There is no provenance establishing that this particular copy was owned or distributed by Sister Ignatia. It is included as a representative example of a devotional title associated with her ministry.

Sacred Heart Devotional Badge

A vintage Sacred Heart devotional badge is also included.

Sacred Heart badges occupy a special place in the history of Sister Ignatia’s work with alcoholics. She became known for giving such badges to patients as they completed their hospital stays, turning a small religious token into a reminder of the commitment accompanying their new beginning.

Its inclusion is especially appropriate alongside The Following of Christ, in which Sister Ignatia herself wrote in 1948:

“May He keep you ever close to His Sacred Heart.”

There is no provenance establishing that this particular badge was personally distributed, owned, or handled by Sister Ignatia. It is included as a representative example of the type of devotional object historically associated with her ministry.

Sister Ignatia Photographs

The collection includes two black-and-white images of Sister Ignatia, including a portrait of her in religious habit and another image showing her in a hospital setting.

Together they provide a visual connection to the woman whose handwriting appears in the two centerpiece books.

1973 Rosary Hall — Cleveland Area A.A. Meeting Schedule

Also included is a 1973 Cleveland Area A.A. meeting schedule from Rosary Hall, carrying period handwritten names, dates, telephone numbers, and other notations.

Rosary Hall occupies an important place in Cleveland A.A. history and connects the collection to the continuing recovery community in the city where Sister Ignatia spent the later years of her work with alcoholics.

A Collection Spanning Sister Ignatia’s Life and Legacy

What elevates this collection is not simply the number of pieces, but the story they tell together.

The 1948 inscription preserves Sister Ignatia’s deeply personal faith during the years she was working alongside Dr. Bob at St. Thomas Hospital.

The 1957 inscription appears inside a First Printing of Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age and presents Sister Ignatia from the unusual perspective of a patient herself, expressing gratitude for the compassionate medical care she had received.

The Confidence in God booklet and Sacred Heart badge represent devotional traditions associated with the spiritual encouragement she offered alcoholics.

The photographs provide a visual connection to her life and work, while the Rosary Hall schedule and Mary Darrah biography carry the story forward into the history and preservation of her legacy.

But the heart of the collection remains Sister Ignatia’s own handwriting.

Two books. Two inscriptions. Nine years apart.

In one, she asks another person to pray for her.

In the other, she expresses gratitude for having been cared for herself.

Together, they preserve something that historical accounts alone cannot: the personal voice of the woman remembered as the Angel of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Collection Includes

• Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age — First Printing, 1957, Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.; original dust jacket; personally inscribed and signed by Sister Ignatia, October 24, 1957
• The Following of Christ — 1941; personally inscribed and signed by Sister Ignatia to Harry Steiner, October 31, 1948
• Sister Ignatia: Angel of Alcoholics Anonymous by Mary C. Darrah — Loyola University Press, 1992; hardcover with dust jacket
• Vintage Confidence in God devotional booklet
• Vintage Sacred Heart devotional badge
• Two photographs of Sister Ignatia
• 1973 Rosary Hall / Cleveland Area A.A. meeting schedule with handwritten annotations

Condition

The collection contains material spanning several decades and displays varying degrees of age and use.

Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age retains its original dust jacket, which shows expected edge and corner wear. The book remains well preserved, and Sister Ignatia’s large blue-ink inscription is clear and prominent.

The Following of Christ shows age toning and evidence of its previous exterior attachment. Tape and paper formerly attached to the cover have been carefully removed, substantially improving its presentation. Sister Ignatia’s 1948 inscription remains clear and prominent.

The remaining books, photographs, devotional material, and A.A. ephemera show varying degrees of age-related wear consistent with their respective periods.

Please review all photographs carefully for the most accurate representation of the condition and contents of the collection.