History of the Irish Region

"As the Father has sent me, so I send you," John 20:21

Since its foundation, the Congregation has heeded the invitation of Jesus "to be sent" and in 1895 established its first foundation in Scotland in the small town of Newtown Steward. The Sisters, one of whom was Irish, Sister Mary Edward, taught in the local school. They resided in a house close by, which has since been converted into a hotel. As a mark of appreciation of the work done by the Sisters, the proprietor had a plaque bearing the name of the Congregation, placed on one of the walls.

 A second reminder of the presence of the Congregation in this small town lies in the fact that Sister Anne Marie, a Belgium Sister and one of the founding members, was buried in the cemetery adjoining the Church. It is customary for the Irish to visit the remains of their dead; hence the Sisters have often gone back to pray at this holy place. In 1907 the convent was closed and the Sisters returned to France.

God in his wisdom had led many young Irish girls to answer the call of total commitment to him in the Congregation of the Franciscans of Calais in France. It seemed fitting, therefore, that there should be a presence of the Congregation in Ireland. In 1928 two Irish Sisters; Mother de Bethany and Sister Patricia came to Cork in the South of Ireland and rented a house in Boreenmana Road. From this base, vocation promotion work was done for the next three years.

In 1931, at the invitation of the Bishop of Cork, Dr. Coughlan, the Sisters moved from Boreenmana Road to the Honan Home in Montenotti in Cork. The house, with its extensive grounds, had been given to the diocese by the Honan family, prominent business people in the city of Cork. It had been stipulated that "Elderly businessmen, who had lost their wealth, through no fault of their own, and were now living below the poverty line", were to be housed in this establishment. The Honan family was indeed to be commended in its generosity and sensitivity towards these elderly gentlemen. The task of helping them regain a sense of self respect again was to be the mission of the Sisters. This they fulfilled with great commitment.

 Initially, administering the Honan Home was not an easy task and the conditions in which the Sisters worked were very difficult. Ireland had just received its independence from Great Britain and was endeavouring to become self-sufficient economically. However, the Sisters continued their task with a great spirit of faith and were always ready to embrace "Lady Poverty" in whatever way she wished to present herself.  It was with great sadness in 1985 due to a shortage of Sisters that the Irish Region handed over its beloved Honan Home to another Congregation.

In 1947 Fr. O'Driscoll, prior of the Augustinians in Carlisle, England went to Desvres and requested Sisters for a variety of activities in their boarding school for boys. Fortunately three Sisters; Mother Ann Marie, Sister Mary Edward and Sister Colette, recently returned from Aden, were available. Without delay they set out for Carlisle. Together with the priests and in a great spirit of faith and unity they embarked on their mission to the boys entrusted to their care. Their labours were not left unrewarded. Evidence of this could be seen in the many fine young men who graduated each year from the college. Well grounded in the Christian faith, they have gone on to make their own specific mark on the world and indeed several joined the Augustinian Order. In 1970 the Sisters, at the request of Mother Agatha, left Carlisle as their presence was required both in Scotland and in Ireland.

In 1956, the dream of the Irish Sisters was realized when a novitiate was established in Thurnham in England. One year later the first postulant came from Ireland to enter here. Soon, the house was too small to accommodate the number of young women seeking entrance into the formation programme. In 1960, the Sisters found themselves back in Scotland in the border town of Langholm in the County of Dumfriesshire. Here a beautiful eighteenth century manor overlooking the town and a particularly lovely stretch of the River Esk, became the property of the Congregation. The novitiate was then transferred from Thurnham to Langholm. It must be added, much to the distaste of the people of Langholm of whom 95% were non-catholic.

 Over the next ten years many young girls entered the novitiate. On completion of their Canonical year, they went to the novitiate in Desvres for ten months, which all agreed was a very enriching experience. They then returned to Langholm to prepare for profession.

 The young Sisters went on to study in the field of medical care and education and joined our Sisters in North America, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Ireland. Towards the end of the sixties there was a drop in vocations and it was decided to move the novitiate to Ireland and at the same time sell all the property in Langholm. But there was opposition, strong opposition from the people of the town, the local authorities and the different Protestant Clergymen, all of whom had resented our coming ten years previously.

 They now wanted the Sisters to stay and to entrust into their care their sick and their elderly and with this came the commitment to finance the work of transforming the house in order that it may meet the requirements of the Department of Health. Since the Sisters had not been engaged in any direct apostolate in the area, what brought about such a radical change in the attitude of the people towards them? The obvious answer to this must surely lie in the fact that, "Like Mary, we bear witness more by who we are than by what we do." Constitutions No. 60. The people responded to this witness in the words of Zephaniah Ch; 8 V20 "We want to go with you since we have learned that God is with you." After much prayer and discernment it was decided that the Sisters would remain on and in 1970 the new Eventide Home for the elderly was opened.

The next twenty-five years saw a total commitment of the Sisters to each of the residents at Erkinholme. It was however the practice of ecumenism which particularly marked this period in the history of the Region. The Sisters seized many opportunities to promote good relations with the local community and the four main churches.

 The sisters attended the funerals of the residents and the monthly services for them, which were conducted by the local Rectors in the Convent Chapel. In time, members of the Episcopalian church began to attend Sunday Mass in the convent Chapel which had become the Parish Church for the Roman Catholic community of the town. Gradually as relations began to build up the Sisters were receiving invitations to attend: Thanksgiving services, Remembrance Day Services and Songs of Praise Services. In addition the invitation to read the Lessons was extended to them.

 The Sisters also had a very good rapport with the Buddhist community. Close to Langholm they built a beautiful temple and invited the different Christian Churches to provide a symbol of their belief's and worship. It was with great delight that the Sisters presented them with a cross of San Damiano which is now on display for the many large crowds of weekly visitors who come there from all over the world.

 Once again the time came for the pilgrim people to move on. New Government Legislation withdrew its financial support to Residential Homes. It was with deep regret that we had to close Erkinholme and sell the property. During the homily at the farewell Mass on 18th May, 1995 Father Campbell, an Augustinian priest from Carlisle, summed up the life and work of the Sisters when he said,

 Your Christian and Religious witness in these parts has opened a door for the Risen Christ to touch the lives of so many. For all that you have done for the church, and the people of Langholm, we say to you, Faithful servants, well done!

After the departure of the Sisters the Sunday Mass was celebrated in one of the Council Meeting rooms in the town. Recently, however, a Presbyterian Church has been acquired and it appears that all denominations will support the fund raising activities for its refurbishment.

The Novitiate, which was transferred from Langholm to Mullingar in Ireland in 1970, has since been moved to three other locations in Dublin; 
21 Mayfield Road, Terenure and finally to 27-28 Abercorn Square, Inchicore.

In 1979 a hostel for university students at Blair's Hill in Cork was purchased from the Dominican Sisters. It was felt that more direct contact with the youth might foster vocations. Unfortunately this was not to be. Ireland was changing rapidly and vocations to the religious life were becoming fewer and fewer. Added to this, with the rising cost of living, hostel accommodation was becoming too expensive and students were opting for "house sharing". In 1986 the hostel was closed. However, it is hoped that the presence of the Sisters in some way touched the lives of the many student girls living in their midst. Perhaps too the words of St. Peter "Lord it is good for us to be here," found meaning in their young hearts.

The Irish Region hasn't had any entries into the novitiate since 1988 when our two temporary professed Sisters began their Postulancy. It is with hope and confidence that we look to the future. In Ireland, there is growing evidence that people are coming to realise that the promise of happiness through material goods is a false one and they are looking for a deeper meaning to life.

In the month of June, 1968, the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady, opened the Sacared Heart Nursing Home here in Mullingar. However, in response to the community, the nursing home was soon converted into a hospital and became known as the Sacred Heart Hospital. Later its name was changed to St. Francis Medical Centre. In 1995 with ongoing works it was renamed St Francis Private Hospital as it is known today. It is committed to serving the needs of God's people with compassion, understanding, respect and dignity.

A wide range of services are now offered in this health care facility including Geriatrics, general medicine, rheumatology, psychiatry, general surgery, ophthalmology, oral surgery, plastic surgery, orthopaedics, physiotherapy, and laboratory and x-ray services.

As we look forward to the future, we remember with affection our deceased Sisters who now enjoy the fullness of life. We know they continually intercede for us as we journey on until we too are led into our heavenly home. Together with our sick Sisters we continue to take part in the apostolic mission of the Congregation in the Church. It is with confidence that we are moving forward as we say with Thomas Merton:

"My Lord God I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not actually mean that I am doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone."