MARIST SISTERS

(SM) 1908

Jeanne-Marie Chavoin in association with Fr. Jean-Claude Colin founded the Congregation of Marist Sisters (Society of Mary) in 1817 at Cerdon, near Belley, France. The objects of the early Sisters were to imitate the virtues of Our Lady, in particular her humility, her union with God and her ardent charity towards others, to teach in schools and take charge of hospitals, infirmaries and orphanages. Originally there were choir and lay sisters.

Fr. Colin had a vision of the Marist family consisting of four branches - priests, brothers, sisters and lay people. In 1836 the Marist Fathers accepted the challenge of establishing missions in the Western Pacific. The Marist Sisters in 1892 arrived in Fiji.

Sydney was seen as a place where Sisters on the missions could convalesce. With the Sisters being forbidden to teach in their schools in France in the early 1900’s the possibility of a foundation happening in Sydney was strengthened. Mother Melanie, foundress in Fiji, arrived with two companions in Sydney in 1908 and soon began teaching.

In Australia the Marist Sisters conduct secondary schools in Sydney at Merrylands and Woolwich.

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

The Archivist

Marist Sisters Provincialate,

57 Dalhousie St.,

Haberfield. NSW 2045

In writing to the Archivist, it would be appreciated 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.