The Poor Clares came to Australia in 1883, bringing with them from across the centuries their great Franciscan traditions handed down to the followers of Francis and Clare. Founded in Assisi, Italy in 1212 by St. Clare, the Poor Clares grew rapidly and spread throughout Europe. Clare, the most faithful follower of St. Francis, was the first woman to write a Religious Rule. Based on that of the Friars Minor, it was approved by Pope Innocent IV in 1253, in the Papal Bull, ‘Solet Annuere’.

Inspired by the words and example of Clare and Francis the Sisters follow in the footprints of the poor and humble Christ. Led by the Holy Spirit the Sisters contemplate Christ in the self-emptying mystery of his incarnation and redemption. The Sisters freely choose a life of radical poverty as our special way of salvation. In this way they enter more deeply into their inheritance as children of the Father. Their call is to be a prophetic sign to the world, proclaiming the message that God is all in all, and that all people are truly his children, and brothers and sisters of one another. United in love as sisters in community, they give witness to our hope in Christ. Free from anxiety, the Sisters have complete trust in the provident love of their heavenly Father who cares for them in every moment of our lives, and invites them to constant conversion to him. Their faith leads them to recognise the imprint of the Creator in all life, and to unite with the whole of creation in a chorus of praise of the Most high God.

The Motto of the order is - Deus Meus et Omina,(My Lord and My God).

Due to the growth of secular liberalism in the Nineteenth Century, there was much conflict with the Catholic Church. In New South Wales, this conflict was focused on the Education System. In 1880 a bitter controversy erupted over State and Catholic Education. This resulted in legislation, which excluded all denominational schools from receiving Government Aid. Archbishop Vaughan had foreseen the consequences due to a Joint Pastoral by the Bishops of New South Wales, but turned to Religious Orders overseas for personnel to staff Catholic Schools. Hence, it was at the request of the Franciscan Friars in Waverley, New South Wales, that the Poor Clares came to Australia in 1883, in order to administer and teach in the schools.

Three of the Pioneers came from Newry, Co. Down - namely, Sr. M. Teresa Lawless, Sr. M. Dominic Cunningham, and Sr. M. Francisca Sloan. Sr. M. Francisca was twenty years old and had received permission to make her final vows at the age of nineteen in order to go on the mission. The three Sisters from Keady, Co. Armagh were - Sr. Antonia O’Hare, Sr. M. Aloysius O’Hare and Sr. Patrick Murray (a lay Sister). A special request had been made that the Sister who founded Keady should be the first Abbess in Australia - namely Sr. M. Antonia O’Hare. The Sisters lived for a short time in two small houses in Bronte Road (then Cowper Street); thence moved to Carrington Road.

It was decided by Fr. Dunne OFM (Guardian of Waverley) with the approval of Dean Sheridan (who was temporarily in charge of Sydney Archdiocese), that the Nuns would teach at Randwick in addition to Waverley. Archbishop Vaughan had died on reaching England in 1883. Another major decision was that a School for Young Ladies would be administered by the Poor Clares as there were very few Catholic high Schools in the area and also it would mean a source of income . These decisions necessitated a change in the Poor Clares’ Constitutions and once more permission was obtained from the Holy see.

The Sisters commenced teaching in the old Church-School which had been built by the Catholics of Waverley in 1854. The Young Ladies School which eventually became St. Clare’s College began with twenty pupils and both schools have continued to the present day, committed to Catholic Education and the Franciscan tradition of peace, love and joy.

The early Sisters who taught in these schools were heroic women who worked with great courage and enthusiasm. They encountered many reverses but by indefatigable labour and splendid zeal overcame all obstacles in order to preserve and continue for over one hundred years, standards and ideals based on Christian ideals as exemplified by Francis and Clare.

From St. Clare’s Convent, Waverley, other Foundations were made: Richmond, NSW 1943-1983; Riverstone, NSW 1950- Novitate moved from Waverley 1984; Riverside North, Tasmania 1961-1971, Loreto Home for the Aged, Waverley 1964-1975; Bundoora 1966-1983; Campbelltown, NSW Childcare Centre 1988.

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

The Archivist

Order of St. Clare

P.O. Box 145

WAVERLEY NSW 2024

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.