StoryCorps: Sister Mary DeSalles Collins

MDC: I had an adoption, a little baby boy - it was an extramarital relationship. Her husband was off at war and she became pregnant by someone else. And the law says the husband is presumed to be the father, so he has to sign a surrender.

So I went out to the tenement house on a Saturday morning. It was not a good section of Manhattan. Rang the doorbell, no answer. Rang it a second time, still no answer. Third time a voice comes out and said, “Who is it?” And I said “I have an appointment with Mr. So-and-So.” “Oh, that’s my father .” I said, “Well, is he there?” “No, he’s gone to work. He’s working over at this bar and grill.” I said now what do I do? I’m in a full habit down to the ground. We wore a little black hat with a cape, and I was only 98 pounds. But this was December 21st. I was gonna get this little boy placed in his adoptive home before Christmas.

So we went over, 8:30 i...
Read the full transcript