The Blessed Trinity is seen as the source of all mission activity. The Sisters attempt to live in communion with one another the grace of consecration for mission by a profound union of contemplation and apostolic activity. The patronal feast of the congregation is Pentecost Sunday. The usual three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience are taken. The Rule is that of St. Augustine.

At the request of the Bishop Gibney of Perth, five sisters from New Zealand were sent to Perth in 1897 for the purposes of opening schools and missionary work.

Coming from the bracing weather of New Zealand to the intense heat of the Western Australian summer aggravated by the attacks of small insects and mosquitoes, the semi-permanent buildings, the loneliness and anxiety inseparable from missionary work and the long and uncomfortable black habits, were some of the hardships experienced by the early Sisters.

For a short time some Sisters of this Congregation had lived and worked in Sydney in the 1860’s.

A novitiate was opened in 1903 with the result that foundations were made in W.A. and Victoria.

Further Suggested Reading:

Couterier, Charles Unswerving Journey: The Life of Mother Mary of the Heart of Jesus, Foundress of the Congregation

of Our Lady of the Missions translated by R. Sheed. Toulouse, France. 1966.

Maher, Mary Sebastian These have I loved.

Publisher Gazette, Fremantle, 1985

Maher, M. S. The First Fifteen Years of Our Lady of the Missions in Western Australia, Perth, 1979

Maher, M.S. `These Have I Loved": Pioneer Sisters of the Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions,

Freemantle, 1985

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

The Archivist

Our Lady of the Missions,

Sisters of Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions

Provincialate

79 Seventh Avenue

MAYLANDS

PERTH W.A. 6051

In writing to the Archivist, it would be appropriate that a financial contribution boie 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.