PRESENTATION SISTERS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY,

PRESENTATION SISTERS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY,

THE VICTORIAN CONGREGATION OF THE

(PBVM) 1873

The Presentation Sisters, founded in Ireland by Nano Nagle in 1775, were originally established to alleviate misery amongst the less fortunate caused by the penal system. Nano Nagle opened small schools in Cork, educating in faith the children of the poor. She gathered together a small band of religious women, who consecrated their lives to God while providing education for the poor. Before Nano died, when there was still little to show for her years of devoted giving to others, she affirmed her belief in the primacy of love: "Love one another as you have hitherto done."

Vows of poverty, chastity and obedience as taken by the Sisters and confirmed by the Church, are a profession of total, public and communal commitment to God and to the mission of Christ.

The Victorian Foundation came about as the result of a desperate plea from Fr. J. Corbett, Parish Priest of St. Kilda to the Superioress of the Presentation Convent in Limerick, his home town. On 28^th January 1873, he wrote: "From the ends of the earth, I write to you for help. An Education Bill has recently been passed, which is diametrically opposed to our interests …… You can contribute very materially by sending three or four sisters ……" By December 21^st 1873, a small band of five professed sisters and two prospective postulants arrived at Sandridge (Port Melbourne) to commence the first Presentation Convent on the mainland of Australia at Windsor. In 1883, two professed Sisters from Wagga, made a foundation at Elsternwick (Gardenvale), naming their convent and school "Star of the Sea". Further foundations were made at Daylesford (1892), Rutherglen (1901), Chiltern (1901) and Inglewood (1907). After amalgamation of these autonomous foundations in 1908, approximately another forty foundations were made in Victoria, all of which continued education of the poor in primary and secondary schools, day schools and boarding schools.

Until 1969, the Presentation Sisters were almost wholly engaged in primary and secondary education. Today, Australian Presentation Sisters are a creative team of women determined to bring compassion to the immediate world in which they live. They are a faith community who respond in practical ways to modern issues and are involved in ministries of education, parish work, family ministry, aboriginal communities and women with AIDS. They are an international network of women who are driven strongly by love of God, resolving to bring peace and justice amongst those with whom they work, and thus lighten the burden of hunger, poverty, distress and discontent wherever they find it.

As a Congregation, the Sisters celebrate together, worship together, and share their strengths, their hopes and their commitment to the work of Christ. Above all, they share the same desire to enhance the Kingdom of God through justice and peace.

Further Suggested Reading:

Consedine, M. Raphael Fire on the earth: reflections on apostolic spirituality Melbourne: PBVM, 1988

Consedine, M. Raphael One pace beyond Melbourne: 1977

Consedine, M. Raphael Listening journey: A study of the spirit and ideals of

Nano Nagle & the Presentation Sisters Melbourne: PBVM, 1984

K.D. Kane Adventure in Faith: The Presentation Sisters in Victoria. Melbourne, PBVM, 1974

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.