She taught in a convent in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1844 till 1848, and in Mobile, Alabama, until the time of her death.
[5] In 1818 Jerusha entered the Visitation convent of Georgetown which also housed her three eldest daughters, while the baby, Josephine, was placed in the home of Fenwick's mother.
On February 23, 1820, husband and wife took their religious vows, she as Sister Mary Augustine.
[6][4] Mary was a woman of superior education, and the convent and school progressed rapidly during her residence.
She was especially successful in training the younger sisters to be accomplished teachers, and was engaged in this occupation in the convent of St. Louis from 1844 till 1848, and in Mobile up to the time of her death.