Precious Blood Nun Develops Skill as Bookbinder

1960: “Bookbinder at the Regina Heights mother-house of the Sisters of the Precious Blood in Dayton is Sister Mary Engelbertha, who is an expert in handling every operation in the binding process. Here, Sister trims the pages of a volume of periodicals in this large electrically-powered paper cutter, one of about six pieces of power machinery in the bindery.

“Sister Mary Engelbertha took over operation of the bindery when it was established 10 years ago. To acquire knowledge necessary for operation of the plant, she first studied printing and book binding at St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Ind.

“Now she serves as bookbinder for five libraries of the Precious Blood Community in Dayton, for the Maria Stein Retreat House in Mercer County, and for the Precious Blood Cloister at New Riegel in the Diocese of Toledo

“Sister’s work at the bindery has been interrupted in the past decade by some teaching duties, but at present she is turning out about 30 bound volumes every two to three weeks with the assistance of one of the postulants. In the summer months, other sisters give assistance in the bindery.

“She binds periodicals for libraries, repairs tattered books, and even revamps worn out prayer books and Missals highly valued by the members of the community.

“Visitors at the bindery are usually surprised at the amount of work required to convert a collection of periodicals into bound volumes for permanent library records. The process includes assembling and trimming the magazines, careful sewing, glueing, production of covers, and printing.

“Sister Engelbertha entered the Precious Blood Community from Immaculate Conception Parish, Celina, in 1914. Three years later, she began a career as a teacher. In addition to her work at the mother-house, she has taught in Cleveland, Celina, Ottawa, and Cincinnati.” (See The Catholic Telegraph-Register, December 23, 1960)