It began in a cottage in Cove Lane, Cork. Here, on Christmas Eve 1775, Nano Nagle founded the Sisters of Charitable Instruction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. (After Nano’s death, the name was changed to the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.) Nano was joined by three companions; Mary Hoey, Elizabeth Burke and Mary Ann Collins. On 29th June 1776, they received the habit and Nano took the name of Sr Mary of St John of God.
Nano spent her time ministering to the poor of the City. She taught in her schools by day and went out at night to visit and comfort the sick and suffering in their hovels. Because of her night-time visits, she became known as ‘the Lady with the Lantern’. The Lantern is now one of the symbols of the Presentation Sisters worldwide.
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| Nano Nagle instructing the children |
Worn out by long days and nights of ministry, Nano collapsed in Cross Street on her way home from one of her schools. She died on Monday, 26th April 1784. She was 65 years old. In 1994 Pope John Paul II declared Nano Nagle ‘Servant of God’, the first of four steps to canonisation. The next step came in 2013 when Pope Francis bestowed the title ‘Venerable’ on Nano Nagle.
In 1769 Nano wrote to a friend “If I could be of service in saving souls in any part of the globe I would be willing to do all in my power”. True to the vision of their foundress, Nano’s Presentations spread throughout Ireland and, indeed, to all parts of the globe. In 1833, thanks to Bishop Michael Anthony Fleming, the very first Presentation Convent outside Ireland was established here in St John’s, Newfoundland.
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The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, painted
by a Presentation Sister, Cathedral Square
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Today, 21st November is the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or as we called it, “Presentation Day”. As former pupils of St Patrick’s Convent Schools, let’s take a minute to remember Venerable Nano Nagle and all who have followed in her footsteps over the years.
HAPPY PRESENTATION DAY!
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