Mother Mary Augustine Aikenhead
Her Life of Loving Service
Portrait of Mary Aikenhead (1787–1858), foundress of the order Religious Sisters of Charity by Nicholas Joseph Crowley (1819–1857)
In 1787, the First Fleet sailed for Australia, and at the same time in Ireland, Mary Frances Aikenhead was born at Grand Parade in Cork on 19 January, dying at Harold’s Cross in Dublin on 22 July 1858.
Over the next 70 years, Mary and her companions became powerful advocates for the poor. From her reception into the Church at the age of 16, her ever-increasing love of God and the poor, led to her founding in 1815 the Congregation of the Religious Sisters of Charity.
Mary’s vision and influence shaped the mission of the Congregation until her death. The Congregational Feast Day, 15th August was chosen to coincide with the Feast of the Assumption.
Mary’s spirit and Charism of service of the poor, continues across the globe as we, in partnership with others, bring Mary’s legacy to life.
Mary, was a woman of great faith, a disciple of Jesus, well versed in the Scriptures and had great devotion to Mary, the Mother of God.
Her journey of loving service is a story, both interesting and inspiring,
of how a valiant woman heroically listened and responded to the spirit God.
To read, a synopsis of the Life of Mother Mary Aikenhead written by Sister Miriam Twohig from the founding congregation, please click here.
Our Crest and Motto
Mary Aikenhead chose the crest and motto for the Religious Sisters of Charity.
The Cross and Crown are symbols of redemption and eternal life. The letters ‘M A’ are the initials of one of the titles given to the Mother of God, Maria Angelorum, translated Mary, Queen of the Angels.
A scriptural symbol of the Mother of God in the New Testament (Book of Revelations 12:1) is an image with a crown of twelve stars on her head and the moon beneath her feet. In the crest the symbol is portrayed by seven stars above the letters M A and the moon below.
Mary refers to the Crest in 1845, explaining that the Crown represents a symbol for all Religious Orders. The seal, cut in topaz was given as a gift to the Congregation.
Displayed on the scroll is the motto of the Sisters of Charity Caritas Christi Urget Nos (Corinthians 5:14), The Charity of Christ Impels Us. This motto which is characteristic of the spirit of the Sisters of Charity, is their impelling motivation yesterday, today, and forever.
The Cause of Mary Aikenhead
The Cause for the canonisation of Mary Aikenhead is a collaborative project of the Religious Sisters of Charity and the Sisters of Charity of Australia.
The life, spirit and charism of our Foundress, Venerable Mary Aikenhead, continue to inspire us as Sisters of Charity and is embraced today by many people throughout the world.
The Congregational Leaders communicate and work collaboratively in progressing the Cause. A Resource Group and Contact Sisters Group were formed with representation of sisters from Zambia, Malawi, England/Scotland, Nigeria, Ireland, California and Australia.
The Mary Aikenhead Project was initiated and created a strategic plan with five goals focusing on “Mary Aikenhead – Her Spirit and Mission”.
Prayer requests
These continue to flow from different parts of the world from people who request healing, even miraculous cure, and peace. We continue to pray through the intercession of Venerable Mary Aikenhead for all who ask for prayers.
Rejoice!
Mary Aikenhead was declared Venerable on 18th March 2015 by Pope Francis. “The achievements of Mary Aikenhead are the achievements of an authentic Servant of God.” Being declared Venerable is the second of four steps in the Catholic Church’s Canonisation process. A person is declared Venerable when it is established that the person had practiced virtue, theological and cardinal, to an heroic degree
Mission Continues
Throughout the world today, Sisters of Charity continue to work courageously and creatively with people especially those who are poor in the areas of healthcare, education, pastoral and social work, advocacy, action and prayer; and networking with others in the quest for world justice, peace and the integrity of creation.
Let us not lose faith in the loving Almighty Providence whose Divine blessing has created such wonders for us…. let us go on in faith and let all do their own little best.
-Venerable Mary Aikenhead