Father had a vision of doing something for Our Lady. Meeting Eileen to whom he brought Holy Communion, he realised that this was the person that God had given him, to enable him to put into affect the work for Our Lady - caring for the sick poor in their own homes.

Although founded in 1913, Our Lady’s Nurses of the Poor were not canonically accepted as a religious order until 1953, nevertheless they lived a religious life.

As they had no formal novitiate, the Sisters spent two weeks (for some three months) of preparation with the Little Company of Mary at Lewisham Hospital, to whom they are very grateful.

From their early years, the Sisters wore the traditional home nurses uniform, of brown cap and cloak (brown in honour of St. Joseph) and so became popularly known as the Brown Nurses.

During the foundation period and afterwards the Sisters made many friends, both amongst the clergy and the laity. All was going well until Father Linkens M.S.C. arrived on visitation to the Sacred Heart Monastery, Kensington.

He disapproved of Father McGrath’s involvement with Our Lady’s Nurses. Father McGrath was sent to Tasmania and then overseas and didn’t come back until the beginning of World War II. Eileen had died in 1921. They did meet to discuss the work at some stage, when Eileen with a companion went to see Pope Benedict XIII, after allegations of an improper relationship with Father. The case was dismissed.

Many of the clergy and laity remained faithful to the Sisters and their work, but not all and the sisters suffered greatly on this account. They were shunned by many, who had once been their friends and supporters.

Things settled down and the work amongst the sick poor of Sydney continued. The Sisters attended their patients, free of charge and still do so today, owing to the great generosity of their many friends.

The treatment of cases has greatly changed as has the medical care and technology. The Sisters treated many cases of advanced T.B. malignancies - people presented with horrific cancers, ulcerated legs, heart conditions etc. It was real ‘hands on’ treatment which involved care of the patient, meals, cleaning of homes, and listening to them, messages etc. It is interesting to note that people of the underworld often came to the rescue of those in need, with clothing, blankets etc. What was amazing, was the courage of these people and often such great faith.

It is sad to hear so much about euthanasia today, in spite of medical advancements to relieve pain.

Besides the Coogee house, houses have been established at Brisbane, Newcastle, Minto, Randwick and Kings Cross.

The Sisters take the three Vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. The current badge has the Cross and M (Mary) on it.

The motto of the Sisters is "to Jesus through Mary", and the Sisters’ charism is to nurse and care for the sick poor in their own homes.

References:

Boland, Thomas Eileen O’Connor: for the poor and the poor only.

Homebush NSW: St. Paul, 1991 or 1992.

Boland, Thomas Eileen O’Connor. Homebushs NSW. 1992.

Walker, D. Eileen O’Connor. Australian Catholic Record. April 1991 pp.211-20.

McMahon, J.F. Father Edward McGrath and the Founding of the Brown Nurses. Journal of

the Australian Catholic Historicali Society, Vol. 8, Pt 1, 1-14, 1985.

McMahon, J.F. Eileen O’Connor and Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor, Sydney, 1988

If further information is required about individual Sisters the following address is given:

The Archivist

Our Lady’s Nurses for the Pool

35 Dudley Street

COOGEE NSW 2034

In writing to the Archivist, it would be appropriate that a financial contribution be made for the Archivist’s time and expertise.

Religious Orders or Congregations have released the details on their members. It is understood that the copyright of any material (including the listing of the names of the Sisters) relevant to a particular Order or Congregation in this publication remains with the relevant Order or Congregation.